


AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 



THE RESTORATION OF THE PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND AND THE 

LEGISLATION AftAINST THE ROMAN CATHOLICS DURING THE 

GOVERNORSHIP OF CAPT. JOHN HART (1714-1720). 



BY 



BERNARD C. STEINER, Ph. D., 

LIBRARIAN, KNOCK PRATT FREK LIBRARY, BALTIMORK, MD, 



(From the Animal Report of thu American Historical Association for 1890, 
Vol.1, pages 231-307.) 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1900. 



m 3 1903 
D. of 0. 



VlII— THE RESTORATION OF THE PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND 
AND THE LEGISLATION AGAINST THE ROMAN CATHO- 
LICS DURING THE GOVERNORSHIP OF CAPT. 
JOHN HART (17I4-172n). 



By BERNARD C. STEINER, Ph. D., 
LIBRARIAN, ENOCH PRATT FREK LIBRARY, BALTIMORE, MD. 



229 



THE RESTORATION OF THE PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND AND 
THE LEGISLATION AGAINST THE ROMAN CATHOLICS DURING 
THE GOVERNORSHIP OF CAPT. JOHN HART (1 714-1720). 



By Bernakh C. Steiner. 



The Crown of Enoland had g-overnod the province of Mary- 
land for over twenty years when Benedict Leonard Calvert, 
eldest son and heir of Charles, the third Lord Baltimore, 
"publicly renounced the Romish errors." Seizing upon the 
fact of a Protestant revolution in Maryland, which followed 
hard upon the Protestant revolution in England, King Wil- 
liam had deprived the proprietary of his political rights over 
his palatinate. Tiie change had undoul)tedly l)een for the 
henetit of the province. It is true the old ndigioiis freedom 
had lieen succeeded by the establishment of the Church of 
England; l)ut justice was pro])ably l)etter administered, edu- 
cation for the tirst time received attention, and the nepotism 
which was the inevitable consequence of regarding the prov- 
ince as the proprietary's private property had passed away 
with the change of government. The Roman Catholics chafed 
at their deprivation from the control of government, and even 
threatened to remove to the domains of His Most Christian 
Majesty of France,^ but the Protestants were the majority 
and the h(^ads of thi^ great Protestant families formed the 
council. 

The Church of England was established by law, but its ad- 
herents were like the squires of P^ngland — caring more for it 
as a national faith than as a rule of life. Scattered on their 
plantations, there were many planters whose adherence to the 
Church was merely nominal, and as the livings were in the 
presentation of the Government, the character of the clergy 
was often far from inunaculate. Got)d men there were in 
])oth laity and clerg}' of the established church. Many good 

'Scharf, ],o90. 

231 



232 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

men were found in the Quaker meetings which Fox, Christi- 
son, and the other zealous missionaries had founded. In the 
Eastern Shore Makemie was introducing- Presbyterianism 
into American soil. The Puritans of Providence had become 
Quakers or Anglicans, and the "Papists" were far more 
important from the prominence of their leaders than their 
number, which was less than one-tenth of the population of 
the province.^ The settlements of the -1:0,000 people in the 
province were still along the rivers which empty into the 
Chesapeake Bay. Until the Germans from Pennsylvania 
drifted along the valleys of the Blue Ridge, after 1730, the 
back country was unsettled. Aimapolis was the only town, 
and that had onl}^ a few hundred inhabitants. St. Marys 
City had died when the capital had been withdrawn. Almost 
everj'one was engaged in the cultivation of tol)acco, and this 
staple of the province was the common currency, l)eing given 
in payment at the rate of 1 penny per pound. In England 
the assembly of the province was represented by Col. 
Nathaniel Blakiston, who, having been once a governor of 
Maryland, knew well its circumstances and possessed the full 
confidence of the provincials. 

The proprietary had an agent in Maryland to attend to his 
private affairs and to watch that the governor and assembly 
did not encroach upon his lands and reyenues. This position 
had been held by Charles Carroll, a prominent Roman 
Catholic, since Col. Henry Darnall had laid it down, about 
1692, Carroll had acquired a "vast estate in this province 
by the office he formerly occupied and his practice in the 
law." We shall frequentl}' come across him as the loader of 
the Roman Catholics. 

Maj. Gen. Edward Lloj'd, president of the council, had hold 
the executive power in the province since the death of Gov- 
ernor John Seymour, on July 30, 1709. Head of a family 
which has remained prominent in Marjdand until this day, 
he was drawing from the treasury two salaries, one as tempo- 
rary governor and one as councilor. This, we shall see, gave 
rise to trouble. It was seldom that a locum tenens retained 
power for four years, as Lloyd did, l)ut probably the last effort 
of the aged proprietar}^ to regain control of his province 
caused the delay. In February 17}? Charles, Lord Balti- 

iScharf, 1, 370. 



RESTOKATION OF PR(M'RIETARY OF MARYLAND. 283 

more, petitioned' that the government mig'ht he restored to 
him. Apparently the Crown was willing at lirst to commis- 
sion his nominee, Col. John Corbet, and a commission was 
made out for him on June 27, 1711. Difficulties ai'ose, how- 
ever, for on July 21 Sir Edward Northey told tlie Queen that 
she has the right to appoint a governor, until satisfied that 
the proprietor can sufficiently secure the province against 
the enemy. For this or some other reason Corbet was never 
sent out. Meantime Benedict Leonard, the heir of the pro- 
prietary, "having for some years expressed to several his 
inclinations to l)ocome a member of the Church of England," 
finally "publicly renounced the Romish errors" and comnm- 
nicated in the Church of England.^ It is usuall}^ supposed 
that this step was taken through mercenary motives, but we 
know too little of the circumstances to dogmatize upon the 
matter. The argument " post hoc, ergo proter hoc" is alwaj^s 
dangerous. He had married, in 1098, Charlotte Fitzroy Lee, 
daughter of the Earl of Lichfield, and had by her four sons and 
two daughters. Their married life had not been happy, and 
they had separated some years before this date. The children 
were sent to "Popish seminaries abroad" by the grandfather 
and educated there at his expense. To Benedict Leonard the 
proprietary had given an allowance of =£450 per annum until 
the son's change of faith, when this was withdrawn. Imme- 
diatel}^ after his becoming a member of the Anglican Church, 
Calvert sent for his children and placed them at Protestant 
schools in and about London. 

Queen Anne, whose Protestant councilors recognized the 
value of gaining over the nobility, granted Benedict a pension 
of <£300 per annum during the life of his father for the main- 
tenance of his children, and appointed Capt. John Hart 
"captain-general and governor in chief of Her Majesty's 
province of Mar3dand.'" Hart's tributes to his patron and 
friend, that he was a "person of ver}^ distinguishing judg- 
ment" (June 1, 1715, council) and had a "gentle and sweet 
disposition" (lower house, April 23, 1716), are the only bits 
of description extant con(^erning the character of Benedict 
Leonard Calvert. 

Of Captain Hart himself we know verj'^ little, save what the 
Maryland records show us. He was nephew to John Vese}', 

1 Scharf, 1, 377. 2 ibid., 379. 



234 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

the Archbishop of Tiiam, whose sister Lettice had married 
Merrick Hart, of Crol)ert, County Craven, Ireland. John and 
Lettice Vesey were children of the venera])le Thomas Vesey, 
and thus Captain Hart came of a family long- devoted to the 
service of the Episcopal Church of Ireland. Archbishop John 
Vesey was born at Cobrannel, County Derry. Ireland, and was 
successivel}' Archdeacon of Armagh and Bishop of Limerick 
before he reached his highest dignity. He died in 1716, 
shortly after his nephew became governor of Maryland. 
Captain Hart had served for several years in Spain and Portu- 
gal during the wars of the Spanish succession. Beyond these 
facts his whole life, apart from the six years of his governor- 
ship, is almost a blank. How well he bore his honors here 
we shall see shortly. He was recommended for the governor- 
ship l)v Calvert upon promising to return to him £500 per 
anmun out of the prohts of the government. This seems a 
large amount, but we must remember the governorship of 
Maryland was an extremely lucrative ]iost. 

On January 1, 17\l, Lord B()lingl)roke, the secretary of 
state, directed that a commission be drafted for Hart.^ This 
was sp(H'dily prepared,^ as were also a series of instructions 
to guide him in the conduct of his office.'' With these in his 
possession. Hart started from England in the early spring 
and arriN'cd in Maryland on May 2i), 1711. The province had 
been nearly five years without a permanent go\'ernor, and this 
one might only spend part of the year in Maryland, if he 
chose to take advantage of the commission given him to reside 
at New York during the hot season.* The first vear, at least 
(and, indeed, we have no evidence that Hart spent any length 
of time out of Maryland during his administration), the new 
governor found sufficient to occu})y him in his province. 

After publishing his commission and the treaty of peace 
with Spain, Hart at once summoned the provincial assembly, 
which met at Annapolis on June 22, 1711. It was the third 
session of this assembly, which had been prorogued in the pre- 
ceding November. The upper house, or the "council in as- 
sembly," consisted of 12 members — wealthy planters, chief 

1 March 12, 17]J, the hoard of tiadt' recommended that Tobias Bowles be made 
governor. 

2 Drafted January ll" mikI ai)provcd by order in council January 17. 

■'Drafted by board of trade January 2".); ai)i)rovcd by order in council January ol. 
■* Apparently he never did this. 



RESTORATION OF PR01>RIETARY OF MARYLAND. 235 

men of the province. Anioiio' them were Edward Lloyd, 
Thoma.s Brooke, William Cour.se}', Richard Tilghmaii, 
William Whittiiiotoii, Thomas Addison, Samuel Youno-, and 
Thomas Ennalls. The lower house, representing the 40-shil- 
ling- freeholders, consisted of 50 members^i from each of the 
12 counties and 2 from the city of Anna])olis. RolxM't Unole,' 
of Talbot County, was the speaker, and among the prominent 
members^ were Henry Peregrine Jowles and Kenelm Chesel- 
dyne, of St. Mary; St. Leger Codd, of Kent; John and Thomas 
Purnell, of Somerset; John and James Mackall, of Kent; 
James Small wood, of Charles; John Fendall, Solomon and 
Charles Wright, of Queen Anne; Matthew Tilghman Ward 
and James Lloyd, of Tall)ot, and Thomas Sprigg, of Prince 
George. As their chn'k'' they chose Thomas MacNamara, a 
law\yer, who was a connection of the Carrolls and was to be a 
great thorn in Hart's side. 

The council had no conunittees, the house had four — on elec- 
tions and privileges, on laws, aggrievances, accounts. The 
committees must have carried on their delil)erations in the 
evening. The day was well filled with legislative sessions, 
for the delegates were always anxious to return to their homes 
as soon as public business could l)e dispatched. The quorum* 
was fixed each session, and was IS or 22 members and the 
speaker. Two sessions of the lower house were held daily, 
lasting generally from 8 to 11 a. m. and from 1 to G p. m. 
The council was more leisurely, and met from 1» to 11 a. m. and 
2 to 5 p. m,-' 

These meetings were not m(M-e nominal ones. A meml)er who 
did not appear at the second roll call in the morning lost his 
allowance, and one al)sent in the afternoon lost 5 shillings, 
unless satisfactory cause was shown for thc^ al)sence.'' 

Questions of privilege come up from time to tim(% as at 
the session of 1710, when we find the delegates committing a 



i.Tuly 3, 1714 (L. H. J.), he was unnnijnously chosen treasurer of the Eastern Shore. 

2 October 9, 1714, William Watts was ordered to show cause why he did not attend this 
session. 

■'■L. H.J.,. Tunc 30, 1714. Bernanl White clioseii assistant clerk and sunrn to keep the 
secrets of the house. 

1L.H.J., April 27, 1715; May 28, 17ir>. 

f-L. H.J.,June24, 1714. October Ci. 1714, lower Ik.usc, ',):i. in. to Ip, ni.; njiper hcnsc. 10 
a. m. to 1 ]i. ni.; May 18, 171.5. lower hou.se, 7 to 11 .-i. ni. -md 1 tn ('. p. ni. 

"L. U. .1., .I\ine24, 1714; L. H.J. , October .5, 171 1. Hay's allowance l(.rlcited if delegate 
"dis.'ippears." 



236 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

man ^ to custod}- of the sergeant for failure to appear ]jefore 
the election committee, and unseating a member** for having 
been '"unduly elected," because the sheriff was " very partial 
and remiss." The sheriff is fined £5 and ordered to make ac- 
knowledgment of his fault and thank the delegates for their 
lenity, which he accordingly does, while the expressions used 
by the unseated member in a petition to the governor are pro- 
nounced " indecent, " and he is ordered to apologize. 

A rather mysterious case of privilege is that of Tobias Pol- 
lard,'' a delegate, whose petition to the council is stated by 
that body basely to affront the governor and the whole legis- 
lature, and to tend to create jealousies and distrust between 
the people and the governor and assembly. If the petitioner, 
they say, were a tool in the case alleged, what must be thought 
of representatives who are easily perverted by one single per- 
nicious person to consent to the ruin of their country. 

The day after the beginning of every session, both governor 
and assembly proceeded to St. Anne's Church and listened to 
a sermon delivered by Rev. Sanuiel Skippon, of that parish, 
or Rev. Henry Hall, of St. James Herring Run Parish, lying 
a few miles to the south of Anna]iolis.* 

Each da}^, after beginning of the session, "was read what 
was done yesterday." When leave was given to bring in a 
bill,"'* it was read twice in the house where introduced and 
then sent to the other house. There the ""paper bill" was 
also twice read, and if neither rejected nor amended was 
returned to the house whence it came, where it received a 
third reading and, engrossing. The engrossed bill was then 
sent to the upper house and signed, usually at the close of the 
session, by the governor in presence of both houses. Money 
bills, of course, were introduced in the house of delegates. 
Relations with the Indians were peaceful, and the treaties with 
them were easily renewed. There were few aborigines in the 
province, and they were well inclined, though somewhat dis- 
tur])ed that their emperor, Astiquas, had left them and gone 



1 George Forbes, L. H. J., May 19, 1719. 

2 Peter Taylor, from Dorchester County, L. H. .1., May 19, 1719. He was reelected. 

3 U.H. J., May 19,1719. 

''If the sermon was liked, a gratuity followed, vide L. H. ,I.,.T\ily is, 1710. L. 11.. T.,. Tune 
1,1719, Skippon given 2,000 pounds of tobaceo for great charge in residing at the seat of 
government for the .service of the public. 

■"' I\'titions to have bilLs brought in must be addressed to the " governor an<l council 
and to the "house of delegates." (U. H. .T., June 24, 1714.) 



RESTOllATION OF I'KorKIETARY OF MARYLAND. 287 

to the northern Indians. The industrial condition of the 
province was very bad.' During- the "consiuning- war'"' many 
industrious phmters had sutfered, and ''"the ruin of families 
in the province has sensibly affected the fortunes of much the 
j»-reatest number of iidia])itants.'''' '^ Clothing was so difficult 
to obtain that manufactures had been set up in the province.'' 
Crops had been poor for several years, and this summer, 
through lack of rain, the toliacco crop was so burnt up that 
Hart felt encouragement nuist be given the planters.* In his 
opening- speech to the legislature Hart expressed the hope 
that "trade now being free and open, through conclusion of 
the treaty of peace, there is a fair occasion of restoring the 
province to its former flourishing condition." He promises 
to assist all he can therein, but the delegates fear "the low- 
ness of the ebb to which this province is reduced " is such 
that, even in peace, without royal aid, Maryland will not be 
able to recover her lost circumstances nor prevent total ruin 
of the tobacco trade. 

Hart advises the reviving of good laws and the making of 
new^ ones for their prosperity, and presents some directions 
of Queen Anne with reference to this last matter. These are 
eight in number: 

(1) That due support and observance of religion be pro- 
vided, and all debauchery, drunkenness, swearing, and blas- 
phemy may be discountenanced and punished. On these 
points the house of delegates answers that the laws are suffi- 
cient, and if an}" justice of the peace is not executing them 
they hope Hart will remove him. 

(2) That there be an act restraining inhumane severities b}'^ 
ill masters or overseers toward servants or slaves; that maim- 
ing- Indians or negroes be punished with a tit pcnalt}-, and 
that the punishment for killing Indians and neg-roes be made 
death. 

The house replies there is already a law concerning- the 
treatment of slaves, which they will inspect and make more 

1 April 29,1715, L.H. J., lower houso.in answer to Hart's address speaks of "present pov- 
erty of this province." 

- Hart's speech of .luiie '2l!, 1711. 

:'S. P.O., April IC), 17l:i. 

■•Hart to board of trade, July 11, 1714. Board of trade later suggested that pitch tar 
and hemp be produced in Maryland and gave directions therefor. (U. H. J., April 21, 
1720.) 



238 AMEKICAN HISTUKICAL ASSOCIATION. 

stringent if necessaiy. The latter part of the direc^tion they 
ignore. 

(3) That stocks and pulilic workhouses for the employment 
of poor indigent people be provided in convenient places, and 
that idle vagabonds be restrained from l)urdening the people. 

With an air of satisfaction the house states that provision 
has been made for such persons as are objects of charity, and 
that vagabonds are so discountenknced by county courts that 
there are few or none of them in Maryland. 

(■i) That further supplies necessary for defraying the 
charges of government be raised; that the public arms be 
better preserved and kept ready fixed, and that storehouses 
be settled throughout the province for them. Accounts of 
disbursements, the Crown acknowledges, should always be 
laid before the assembly. 

The lower house professes that they will always raise suffi- 
cient supplies and that, although provision has already been 
made for the care of the public arms, they will do more if 
necessary, being thankful for the Queen's interest in the 
matter. 

(5) That for the l)etter administration of justice a minimiun 
property qualitication be fixed for jurors. 

(6) That creditors of British bankrupts who have estates in 
Maryland may obtain satisfaction of their claims therefrom. 

The house says there are alread}" statutes covering these 
two points. 

(7) That no act be passed lessening or impairing the revenue. 
The house rejoins that they would rather enlarge it, if they 

could, being good subjects. 

(8) That no law be passed afiecting the property of sulijects 
in Great Britain, unless it be provided that it shall not go 
into effect until eighteen nionths after passage in time of war 
and twelve months in time of peace, to give opportunity to 
know the roA^al pleasure therein. 

Hart began at once to serve the province, "employing his 
utmost efforts,"" and on the second day of the session sug- 
gested that the Virginia law with reference to frauds in 
tobacco might be worthy of adoption in Maryland. 

The tobacco industry, which employed 1()() ships and 1,600 
seamen yearly, was most important,' and it was necessary that 



1 Scharf 1, 384, upper house approved of law and sent it to lower house ( U. H. J.. June 27). 



KESTORATION OV PKol'KlKTAKY OK MARYLAND. 239 

''trash'' .should h(^ scpiirutcd from the jj-ood tohucco and that 
the annual output of ;5(>.()0() hoo.dieads should })resei've its 
g'ood reputation. In this case, as in many otluM's, the assem- 
bly eventually adoptinl Hart's sui^^estion, hut not at the ses- 
sion when it was made. 

As important as any specific reconunendation is one of 
Hart's, at this session, that letters ))e sent to the agent in 
England to g-et the ojiinion of some of the Queen's counsel 
and other eminent lawyers as to what statutes are in force in 
Maryland. The laws are dubious and uncertain, and, though 
Maryland claims part in counnon hiw, it is denied the ))enefit 
of some statutes, as plantations are not named therein.' The 
lower house feared that this matter would take up time, and 
as the season is inconvenient for a session, suggest that the 
question be postponed until next session." 

The committee on laws on June 25 reported thtit three of 
the temporary laws would soon expire and should be rcenacted 
at this session: Those regulating the militia, the officers' fees, 
and for relieving the inhabitants from some aggrievances in 
the prosecution of suits at law. We note that these tempo- 
rary acts were important ones. McMahon '' notes the ""gen- 
eral disinclination in Maryland to the enactment of permanent 
laws." He rightly attributes this to the fact that " no change 
could be made in such law^s but by some new act of legisla- 
tion requiring the proprietary's assent; and the assemblies 
were always unwilling to render themselves dependent upon 
his will for relief from a law which might be found, by expe- 
rience, to be inconvenient or oppressive." "They preferred 
temporary laws," continues McMahon, "which would expire 
by their own limitation and might be reenacted if found sal- 
utary." Especially was this the case with revenue bills, as 
the colonists could thus control the purse strings. 

The militia bill * produced little debate and continued the 
previous law, providing for the enrollment of the people in 
troops and companies under the control of a colonel appointed 
for each count3\ 

' U. H. J., June 28, 29, upper house does not see how it ean len,i;theii tht' session, lint 
does not press matters {.July 2). 

- Ordinarily a vote to postponi; until the next session was held ei|uivah'nt to one to lay 
on the table or postpone indefinitely. 

■' F>. 282. 

■•Act of 17U. eh. Ill 



240 AMEKICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

The fee bill was a constant cause of friction between the 
proprietary and. his officials on the one hand and the popular 
representatives on the other. A chronic disease lurked in the 
body politic which reached an acute stage when either side 
was obstinate. At each reenactment the house of delegates 
tried to reduce the emoluments of the officials, and the coun- 
cil, itself largely composed of the proprietary's officers, strove 
to have the old bill reenacted. The houses were fairly ami- 
cable now, but when the lower house sent up this fee bill, 
changed to suit their views, the upper house ^ protested. 
The new fee table would discourage men of good learning, 
integrity, and parts from accepting some of the inferior offi- 
ces, and would also lessen and debase the state and dignity of 
the superior officers, who are most useful in the province 
and ought to be handsomely supported, according to their 
several characters, not only for the sake of their own merit 
and capacity, but also for the honor of the Government. 
Though they insist on the old fee table, the council state they 
are willing to suppress and punish any officer guilt}' of brib- 
eiy, extortion, negligence, or any unfaithful misdemeanors, 
according to the utmost severity of law. 

To this message the house of delegates^ retorts that, in man}' 
particulars, the fees are exorbitant and tend to oppression 
of the people, and the bill now submitted provided decently 
for the support of judicial and ministerial officers, considering 
the multiplicity of their business. They remind the council 
that in 1T09 the latter body had promised to join in a revi- 
sion of the fee table, ^vhenever a captain-general should come. 

The council^ refuse to recede and say the present fees are 
in no- way exorbitant, considering the little advantage the sev- 
eral officers have had from tol)acco for many years. The 
lower house * yielded on the last day of the session and con- 
tinued the old law, as they were desirous to keep good corre- 
spondence with the council and end the session with the same 
good temper with which it opened. 

In reenacting the third temporary act, there was another 
controversy,^ in which the lower house yielded again. From 

lU. H.J. , June 30. 
2L. H. J., July 1. 

^U. H. J., July 1; upper liouso also ohjectecl that the penalties against sheritt's were too 
heavy. 
4 L. H. J., July :?, act of 1714, eh. 5. 
SAetof 1714, ch. 4. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 241 

the preamble of the act as passed we learn that, because of 
losses the provincials sustained from the closing of the conti- 
nental markets during- the late war and the capture of their 
tobacco carg'oes by enemies at sea, the people have become 
"vastly indebted." Their "miserable and deplorable circum- 
stances" are "much heightened and aggravated" by suits 
being brought against them in the provincial court at Annap- 
olis, though they live in the remotest parts of the province. 
The result is truly dreadful. Many of the people "daily de- 
sert their habitations and remove themselves to plantations 
and colonies where they are far less serviceable to her sacred 
Majesty and her revenue of customs of tobacco." The act 
was designed to remedy this evil. As originally introduced in 
the lower house, it provided that claims under £100 or 30,000 
pounds of tobacco shall be sued for in the court of the county 
where the debtor resides. The counciP pointed out that by 
this bill, if a debt be of £250 and all but £19 have been paid, 
there is no remedy, for the provincial court takes cognizance 
of no sum under £20 and covmty courts of no debt over £100. 
The bill was amended,^ to permit such action to be heard in 
county courts, and then seemed to be satisfactory. At this 
juncture, however, the lawyers of the province step in.^ 
Charles Carroll, the proprietary's agent, claims that this bill 
infringes the prerogative by limiting the jurisdiction of the 
provincial courts, limits the power delegated Hart to erect 
courts, and opens a great gap for partiality, as it provided for 
the trial of causes amongst the debtor's relations and friends. 
The bill visibly attacks trade, for British merchants dealing 
with the provincials must employ twelve agents to attend the 
various county courts,* whose judgments are generally so 
erroneous that their jurisdiction should rather be diminished 
than increased. Then, too — and, I fancy, to Carroll and his 
brothers this was a most important argument — the liill will 
lessen the practice of lawyers in the provincial court and thus 
discourage learning. 

lU. H. J., June 26. 

2 Section 5. 

3 Petition, June 29, hearing- by upper house, June 30; similar act jircviously passed liad 
not met with objection in England. 

■iHart inquired, U. H. J., June 28, whether justice is well administered in county 
courts and whether some of them have not delayed business. The council says com- 
plaints have come of only one or two, but they agree that for future clerks should yearly 
send copy of "doggctts" with reason of continuance and adjournment contrary to law. 

HIST 91>, VOL I 16 



242 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

Philemon Lloyd, secretary of the province, added to these 
arguments others — such as that, l)y the constitution of Eng- 
land, the jurisdiction of the count}^ court is very low because 
men of power often sway it, and that the debts were what 
caused people to leave the province, not the few 100 pounds 
of tobacco extra from the costs in the provincial court. 

As a result of this hearing, the upper house reduced the 
maximum of the jurisdiction of the county courts to £20 or 
5,000 pounds of tobacco. Hardly had the lower house agreed to 
this amendment, when their clerk, MacNamara, petitioned the 
council that a clause about attorneys' fees be added to the bill. 
The house of delegates sent up the bill engrossed without this 
clause, which the council recommended. That body stated 
that the merchants of England may justly complain that for 
want of due encouragement given attorneys they can not get fit 
persons to prosecute actions.^ Finally, a conference commit- 
tee was appointed and both houses agreed to its report, which 
was that when the total debt sued for or the balance recov- 
ered in the county court be over £10 sterling or 2,000 pounds 
of tobacco, the attorney should have 200 pounds of tobacco 
as fee. If a lawyer refuse to take a suit for this fee or ask 
more, he is to be lined 500 pounds of tobacco and be suspended 
from practice for a year.^ This bill was found to be of such 
utility that it was successively reenacted down to the Revolu- 
tion. In the discussion over this bill we first meet Carroll 
and MacNamara. In the light of future events, it seems 
strange to find the latter an official of one house and cham- 
pioned in his cause by the other. Carroll and Hart were 
already showing their opposition to each other. Early in 
the session^ Carroll suggested retaliation, in the return for 
some unjust charges said to be laid by Virginia on Mar^^land 
tobacco. Hart replied that ""if Virginia does wrong, it is 
no rule for us to walk by."* A week later Carroll was sum- 
moned before the council to state wh}^ a law should not be 
passed releasing Peter Sewell, who had lain three 3'ears in 
Calvert County jail for a debt of £80 to London merchants, 
clients of Carroll. We know not what Carroll said, but may 
judge that it was not very satisfactory, from the fact that, as 

'U. H. J., July 1, 2. Some little friction here. House of delegates desires to avoid 
mess-ages, which delay the session. Macnamara could not attend hearing against bill 
because of his duties as clerk. 

2Not in bills as printed by Bacon. 

3U.H.J.,June25,July 3. nMI..).,.I\ily 1. 



RESTORATION OF PR(H'KIP:TARY OF MARYLAND. 243 

soon as he left the room, it was uiianiiuously resolved and 
made a standing rule that when a person is called by the 
council to give them satisfaction, such person shall only 
answer directly to the questions proposed without oti'ering 
anything further. The fact was that Carroll led the Roman 
C atholics, and because of that fact could not be at peace with 
Hart, the head of the Protestants. The lower house showed 
its fondness for Hart at this session by passing without demur 
a bill granting him 8 pence per hogshead of tobacco exported' 
so long as he should continue governor. There was no gov- 
ernor's house, and this was to compensate him for being forced 
to rent a dwelling. Hart's salary came from one-half of the 
2-shilling duty on each hogshead. Further remuneration his 
instructions forbade him to receive from the province. It will 
be noted that the fierce struggles of contemporary Massa- 
chusetts over the governor's salary are unknown here. 

Hart made inquiry with reference to another part of the 
2 shillings," the 3 pence appropriated for arms and ammuni- 
tion. This was a diti'erent tax from the 3 pence for public 
charges, which was appropriated by an especial ))ill. Lower 
house also made inquiry as to the expenditure of the ammu- 
nition tax and,^ stating that they believe a considerable sum 
is due the public thereon, asked that it be spent in building 
storehouses. They make arrangements at once to have one 
built of wood on the public grounds at Annapolis.* Hart 
was already planning a much more substantial structure, and 
induced the delegates to postpone the work. Meanwhile the 
arms should be hung up in the county court-houses. 

Just before the end of each session of the assembly the 
committee of aggrievances^ was accustomed to make its report. 
This year it referred to two inveterate abuses — one, that sev- 
eral places of profit were in the hands of one person, which 
was bad for public business and a discouragement for qualified 
persons; and a second, that the places of profit and especiall}^ 

HJ. H.J. , June 24,25,30. Hart expresses thanks. Council provided that it bo sterling 
money; for if it were not, only traders would gain, Marylanders paying them in sterling, 
not ready money. Lower house (J., July 2) did not consider building a governor's houf^e 
this session because of lack of time. 

-V. H. J., June 28; U. H. J., October 7. Hart had accounts ready to lay before lower 
house. Act of 1714, chapter 1. 

3L. H.J.,July2. 

■'Dimensions 2.i by 10, and 10 feet pitch, iilaiu><l within and without, and shingled. 
Capt. Thomas Dowra built it. 

^L. H. J., July 3. On this day tlie as.sembly was iirorogued. 



244 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

sheriti's'' offices are sold to the highest bidder, and therefore 
the inhabitants are aggrieved and oppressed, through the com- 
missioning of persons incapable and of too mean capacities 
and estates. There had been an attempt to remedy this 
grievance in 1709, but it still remained. Sheriffs were always 
viewed with suspicion liy the popular delegates. Though 
their term is for three years, by clandestine, secret, under- 
stood practices they continue in power many years.^ They 
give too slender security for executing their duty, though 
they are in a manner county treasurers, on whose credit and 
good demeanor depend the credit and interest of all those 
who act in public stations. 

Religious matters as well as secular demanded Hart's atten- 
tion. He called together the clergy of Maryland in the 
month of June and propounded to them queries as to the 
state of affairs. Twenty clergymen^ were present and told 
him that God is duly served throughout this province on 
Sunday according to the Book of Common Prayer, in every 
parish where there is an incumbent, and on holidays also in 
many parishes. The communion is duly administered, the 
churches are sufficient in number, though some should be put 
in better order. Most parishes give the clergymen^ but a 
bare competenc3^ Glebes are totally lacking in some par- 
ishes, while in others they are very poor. Most parishes 
have been furnished with parochial libraries through the 
energy of Rev. Thomas Bray, the former commissary; but 
some have never received a library, which is unfortunate. 
Every minister is principal vestryman in his parish, and all 
acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London. The 
remote clergy ask that a councilor be deputed to inspect 
them. We are told that in the whole province none admin 
ister the sacred office without being regularly ordained. In 
every church there is a table of the prohibited degrees of 
marriages, and the provincial law against incest is severe. 
The clergy discountenance all immorality, but complain that 
the penalty against fornication is too light and that a law is 
needed against the "damnable sin of polygamy." 

1 Anne Arundel County had an especially objectionable sheriff. So had Cecil in 1720. 

"U. H.J. , June 26. Hawks's Eccles. Contribs., 11,137 and ff. 

■■'A pleasant light is east on the clergy by a vote of the assembly on October 8, 1714. 
Gabriel d'EiuiliiUio, rector of Christ Church in Calvert County, went to England, and the 
otlicr clergy iinnniscd to ofticiiitc for him, tliat liis family might receive his salary. He 
was shipwrecked and died, and the assembly voted his widow his salary. 



RESTOEATIUN OF PKOPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 245 

The Church of Eng-land had been established in Maryland 
in 1692, as soon as the Crown Government began, and was 
then supported under the law of 1704, providing for an an- 
nual tax of 40 pounds of tobacco for each taxable person. 
"Many worthy" persons were among the clergy, but Hart 
was forced to write to the Hishop of London^ that "there are 
some whose education and profession are a scandal to their 
profession," and to express amazement that "such illiterate 
men came to be in holy orders.'' From the inefficient char- 
acter of the Anglican clergy many proselytes were made by 
the Jesuits. This became so grave a difficulty that Hart 
meditated using his authority to constrain the Jesuits "from 
entering the houses of dying persons.'"'* It was a difficult 
matter to get rid of the worthless clergymen. So incon- 
clusive were the proceedings in one'' instance that Hawks 
speaks of the establishment "as so profligate in some of its 
members that even the laity sought to purify it, and yet so 
weak is its discipline that neither clergy nor laity could purge 
it of ofli'enders." Both the clergy and the governor asked for 
a bishop, but in vain.* In Maryland, as there was an estab- 
lishment, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel had 
no missionaries, and so there was absolutely no control of the 
incumbents. A commissary, or representative of the Bishop 
of London, could only "warn and rebuke," and so his influ- 
ence was small.'' Yet it seemed better to revive this office 
than to do nothing, and so in 1716, in answer to Maryland's 
request, two commissaries were appointed," Rev. Christopher 
Wilkinson for the Eastern Shore and Rev. Jacob Henderson 
for the Western Shore. ^ 

During the summer of 1714 Queen Anne died; but before 
the arrival of the dispatches, sent over in two special vessels, 
announcing the accession of King George, Hart had a second 
time called together the assembly. 

An important matter is broached by Hart in his opening- 
speech,^ on October 5, Commands have ))een received from 

1 Hawks, 11, p. 139. * Ibid., II, p. 142. 

2 Ibid., II, p. 140. s Griimbrall's Ch. Life in Col. Md., p. 79. 
3ThatofWilliiimTibbs,U.n..J,,May 1,171.''). ''Vide Hart's address, U. H. ,1., April AS, 
"Hawk.s,II,p. 150. 1710. 

8 He gives another good piece of advice, that "moderate proceeding in debate will best 
facilitate business," and " if you dissent, plea.se express yourselves so as to evidence clear- 
ness of judgment and not a warmth of resentment." Modern legislators might take 
this thought to heart to their advantage. 



246 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

England to have the body of laws revised. Hart says this 
should be done as inexpensively as possible. The house of 
delegates respond thoy will try to perform this and all other 
duties to God, and that they would ''take care to acquit 
themselves as dutiful and loyal subjects to our sovereign and 
a grateful people to your excellency and faithful servants to 
our country." These aims were faithfully pursued by the 
assemblies while Hart was governor. A conference com- 
mittee was appointed in the matter of revision/ but just as 
they began their work unofficial news came from Philadelphia 
that Queen Anne had died. This, of course, put an end to 
the session, the only act passed l)eing one for laying the public 
levy.'^ The crop had failed again, and on Hart's suggestion 
the house of delegates agree to his issuing a proclamation pro- 
hibiting the exportation of indian corn from November 10 to 
March 10. The council rejected the further suggestion of 
the delegates that no execution issue for a year.'' The dele- 
gates said the tobacco crop was veiy short, and it would be a 
hardship to the people to go to jail because of that. The 
council was desirous of helping the "honest and well-meaning- 
sort of people," but think this* repugnant to the laws of 
England and Marjdand. On Octo})er 1> Hart proi'ogued '' the 
assembly and then took "a long and expensive journe}'," 
possibly to Philadelphia, to assure himself of Anne's death. 
On October 21 he called his council together. He had no 
official news as yet, but London papers he had procured gave 
such definite information that, without delay, at noon on 
October 28, Prince George of Brunswick Lunenburg was 
proclaimed King at the statehouse. The militia made a 
handsome appearance; the governor and council took oaths 
to the new King; Hart gave a "generous and splendid enter- 
tainment," and orders were sent to each county to have the 
King proclaimed there." 

'L. H. J., Octobers. 

^Hart recommended Blakiston's salary of £100 be iiichided tluTrin, and says tlie j)rov- 
inee offered £120, but Blakiston took the smaller sum. 

3 L. H. J., October 8; U. H. J.,Oetober 9. There might be suiTering if the winter was 
severe. 

4U.H. J., Junes, 1715. 

5 For a month, but unles.s notified the members need not expect a session. OflRcial 
notice did not arrive until October 29. Council decided then that nothing further as to 
proclamation was needed. Further official notice on April 13, 1715. 

«U. H. J., June 13, 1715. Hart celebrated George's birthday also. Coun. Proc. 



RESTOKATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 24V 

AVhon the official notice came the council ordered the liturg}^ 
to l)e changed, and November 25 to ])e oliserved as a thanks- 
giving da}', wherein all should abstain from bodily labor and 
repair to the parish churches, where the clero ynuMi shall read 
service and preach suita])le sermons. We nmst have no Ja- 
cobitism here in our province of Maryland. 

On January 18, 1T||, summons were issued for a new 
assembly, and the embargo was taken off the exportation of 
Indian corn, since the winter had been mild and favorable and 
there was no more danger of a scarcity. There was danger, 
however, that Hart might not meet the assembly he had sum- 
moned. On January 20, 17||, Lord Stanhope, secretary of 
state, directed the lioard of trade to prepare a commission 
for Brigadier Richard Franks as governor of Mar3iand. This 
aroused Benedict Leonard Calvert at once, and on February 2 
he petitioned the King to continue Hart, or if he objected to 
him, to appoint Calvert himself.^ The King granted this 
petition at once, and two da3's later Stanhope directed the 
board of trade to renew Hart's commission. 

On the 20th of the same month Charles Calvert, third Lord 
Baltimore, died, aged 85 years. The pretext for the suspen- 
sion of proprietary government in the province having died 
with the Roman Catholic proprietary, a restoration was now 
confidently looked for; but l)efore it came Benedict Leonard 
died, on April 5, 1715. His son Charles," then about 16 years 
of age, became the fourth proprietary and fifth Lord Balti- 
more, and his guardian, Francis, Lord Guilford, at once peti- 
tioned for a restoration of the government. This was granted 
"to give encouragement to the educating of the numerous 
issue of so noble a family in the Protestant religion," and a 
new commission was issued to Hart, bearing date May 30, 
1715. Lord Guilford was a man of Jacobite bearings, and, 
though he is said to have corresponded rarely with that party 
after 1714, he was arrested for complicity in the Atterbury 
plot. He then retired to Paris, joined the Roman Catholic 
Church in 1728, and died in 1734. Such an influence as his 
over the young proprietary must have given rise to some 
apprehensions among the more extreme Hanoverians and 
Protestants in Maryland. 

1 Scharf, 1, p. 379. nbid., p.380. 



248 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

Meantime, the assembly of 1715 had met on April 26, com- 
pleted its task, and adjourned on June 2, During- this session, 
lasting little over a month, forty-nine laws were passed, cov- 
ering- the most important concerns of the province. McMa- 
hon's encomium on this session, the last ever held in Maryland 
under the royal government, is well deserved. He writes in 
1830^ that ''the assembly of 1715 is as conspicuous in our 
statute book, even at this day, as the 'blessed Parliament' in 
that of England. A Ijody of permanent laws was then 
adopted, which, for their comprehensiveness and arrangement, 
are almost entitled to the name of 'code.' They formed the 
substratum of the statute law of the province, even down to 
the Revolution; and the subsequent legislation of the colony 
effected no very material alterations in the system of general 
law then established. Several of the important statutes of 
that session are in force to-day." Such an achievement as 
this sheds splendid luster on Hart's administration, and he is 
entitled to a fair share of the praise. 

This was a new assembly, and so, after the council had 
taken the oaths and the delegates had chosen as their speaker 
Robert Ungle, of Talbot County, both houses assem])led in 
the council chamber and the governor approved of the 
speaker. The latter then, in due form, "disabled himself to 
undergo so weighty a charge." Hart, of course, refused to 
accept his declination of the office. Sometimes the speaker 
a second time,^ "decently and submissively addressing him- 
self to his excellency, offered several reasons disabling him- 
self * * * and made humble suit to be discharged." In 
this case, too, Hart would "nowaysadmitof" the declination, 
being well satisfied " of the speaker's skill and knowledge. " 

The next act in the drama follows English precedent, as do 
they all. The speaker asks that the delegates may have 
"freedom of speech, as of right and custom they have used, 
and all their ancient and just privileges and liberties allowed 
them, and that in anything he shall deliver in the name of the 
lower house, if he shall commit any error no fault ma}' be 
imputed to the lower house, but that he may resort to them 
again for declaration of their true intent, and that his error 
may be pardoned 'and that as often as necessity' for the 
public good shall require it, he may, by the discretion of the 



' History of Maryland, p. 282. 2E. g., April 23, 1716. 



RESTOKATION UF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 249 

lower house, have access to his excellenc3^" When this was 
o-ranted the assenil)ly listen to the governor's speech.' 

On this occasion Hart beg-ins In' referring to the new mon- 
arch's "lenity and (H)nsumniate judgment" as of happy omen 
for his subjects.'^ The Protestant religion is safe because of 
George's "noble disposition, generous courage, and numerous 
offspring." So a "continued series of happiness" may be 
expected. It now ])ehooves the assembly to revise the laws^ 
and do it diligently, as long and frequent sessions are a griev- 
ous burden to the people. He kindly warns them not to 
expect too much, since "few Ihings attain perfection at the 
first setting forth," and this "province is but in its infancy." 

He makes two special recommendations that they should 
enact laws to promote "industry in your trafticks" and "use- 
ful learning, but these also are here in their tender age, so 
they must be nourished with time, care, and patience." 

In trade he recommends that they try to refoi'm abuses in 
the revenue from toljacco, l)ut need not trouble themselves to 
pass an act encouraging the tobacco trade, as there is an Eng- 
lish law thereon. Indeed, though the "inhabitants of the 
province with commendable industry cultivate tobacco, there 
are " spacious tracts of this fertile soil, especially on the 
Eastern Shore, not fitted for tobacco. There good hemp can 
be grown, and Maryland might "supply Great Britain with 
cordage forever."* 

Few send their children to sea, and the result is that there 
is a want of seamen, which is a "mighty obstacle of trade.'' 
Hart advises that if a "certain number of the youth main- 
tained by the several counties be 3'early apprenticed as sailors, 
in a few years there would be a provincial navy." 

The education of youth ever la}^ close to Hart's thought, 
and he is grieved that "many young men of admira])le natu- 
ral parts grow up Avithout the least improvement of art." It 
is now "more than time to repair that neglect that is shown 

1 Meiuimara clerk again. 

2 He culls him "one of the greatest as well as one of the best of kings that ever yet 
swayed the British scepter." 

3 U. H. J., April 29, 171.^. Hart sent down Anne's instructions to lower houses May 7 
(L. H. J.) Committee on laws resolve to send a "complete body" home May 9. Hart 
sends lower house message to hasten; they have done little in fifteen days. Hart's 
instructions concerning the passage of laws are given in U. H. J., May 15. They were 
often disregarded in the laws passed at this session. 

■• A hemp law was introduced l)y delegates, butcduncil rejected it as it jiut composition 
for money too high (U. H. J., May 'itt). 



250 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

to U'urnino- here/' and it lies at the assembly's door "to lay a 
foundation for sutiicient schools that your sons may increase 
in knowledge as well as in wealth and honor." If this be 
done "you will have l)lessino-s of the poor in this life, and 
posterity will praise you as benefactors." Alas! this l^less- 
edness was lost. 

Thi^ year before^ the clerg-y reported that the case of 
schools is very bad, good schoolmasters are very much want- 
ing, and those professing to teach were very insufficient and 
rarely had the certificate from the Bishop of London as 
required by law.' At the abortive session preceding this one 
Hart had complained that it was "deplorable" that there was 
"no better provision for the education" of the numerous 
youth, there being but " slender support for one school on the 
Western Shore and none on the Eastern Shore of this so wide 
abay.''^* 

At this session the rector and governors and A'isitors of the 
free schools came to the assembly with a petition.* They 
complain that the funds for free schools are "so insufficient to 
answer the pious design of having a free school in each county 
that they can keep up only one such school — King William's 
School, in Annapolis— and this with difficulty." They also 
ask that their (]uorum\ be reduced, since they live so far from 
each other, and that their title be confirmed in a piece of prop- 
erty in Annapolis.'' The two latter requests are attended to, 
but their urgency to obtain more funds is ignored. 

The libraries, which Rev. Thomas Bray established in sev- 
eral parishes, were for reference; that at the capital, the great 
Provincial Library of 1,100 volumes, the remnants of which 
collection are in St. John's College Library to-day, was for 
circulation. The books were taken out, and, alas, not always 
brought back, so that when Hart had an inventor}^ made 
several were missing, and the assemblv resolved that the 
sheriffs publish notices commanding persons having books 

1 U. H. J., June 26, 1714. 

-On May 3, 1715. Hart tells eonncil he will insLst on schoolmasters taking oaths and 
showing certificates of good capacity before he will give them licenses to teach and will 
obtain li«ts of schools and school teachers from tlie county courts. 

3U. H.J. , Oct. 5, 1711. 

"U. H. J., May 13, 1715. 

i^Actof 1715, eh. 4. 

"July 0, 1(197, Anthony Workman gave £150 sterling for a house on a lot which Governor 
Nicholson gave to King William's School on condition he might use the house for life 
and then leave it to the school. The " Kentish Ordinary " was kept there. Workman 
M'as dead. His heirs refused to .surrender it. 



EESTOKATION OF PROPKIETARY OF MARYLAND. 251 

belonging- to "the PuV)li(' Library"'"' to bring them to Rev. Mr. 
Skippon, who, as rector of St. Ann's parish, Annapolis, was 
ex-offieio librarian. 

hi the preparation of the laws of this session there was 
engaged one of the tirst famous American lawyers, Andrew 
Hamilton, who achieved most of his fame while practicing 
his profession at Philadelphia. He was at this time a resident 
of Kent County, and liad thence been elected to this assem- 
l)ly. He was absent from the opening of the session' on 
account of being in attendance as counsel at the supreme 
court in Pennsylvania. He appeared on May 4, after the 
sergeant-at-arms had been sent for him, and was at once 
added to the committee on laws. How nmch of the excel- 
lence of the session's work ma}" be attriliutable to his efforts 
we know not. It is interesting to know that his greatest fame 
probal)h" came to him from an acquaintance he made in Mary- 
land. John Peter Zenger, a young printer, came from New 
York, at the conclusion of his apprenticeship, to try his for- 
tune in Kent County. In 1720 he petitioned, with apparent 
success, for leave to print a "body'' of the session laws for 
each county, and he was naturalized l)y the assembly in tlie 
same 3"ear. '' He went l)ack to New York and, when accused 
of libel some fifteen years later, sent for the lawyer, whom 
he had doubtless known in Maryland, to act as his counsel. 
How brilliantly Hamilton filled that position is known by ;ill. 

The first act'' passed was one for the recognition of George 
I as King. The assembly represented the Protestant party, 
and so this was easily passed and was loyal in tone.* Indeed, 
in their answer to Hart's opening speech, they thanked him 
for his most expeditious "proclamation of the King," and 
for "his extraordinary zeal and diligence for His Majesty's 
service."'' 

At this time there were intimations of lurking Jacobitigm, 
and "secret insinuations" were uttered that George's seat was 
in danger. 

iL. H.J. , May 2, 4, 1715. Fined 4-'i/, costs for absence. Men who went home without 
permission were also fined. (L. H. J., July 28, 171C, and May 8, 1718.) The delegates, 
however, were privileged from arrest for twenty days after adjournment of the assem- 
bly. (L.H.J.,May 3,1718.) 

2 Act of 1720, ch. 18. 

3Actof 1715,ch.l. 

■• At Hart's suggestion. Introduced in council prob!il)ly as the more dignilied body. 
L. H. J., May 4, passed botli houses day of introduction. 

f' L. H. J., April 29, 1715. June ;i, 171.5. 



252 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

The address to Hart, adopted at the close of the session, » 
breathes a loyal spirit and also pays a high tribute to Hart's 
character. He had been with them nearly a year, and they 
found him "'affable, kind in conversation," ''prudent in the 
nianag-ement of public affairs,'' "careful to consult the ease 
and benefft of the people," and "scrupulous to maintain the 
prerogative and just rights of the Crown." These were no 
feigned words. John Hart was one of the best colonial gov- 
ernors. 

Besides the recognition act, the one legalizing proceedings 
taken in Queen Anne's name after her death, '^ and one repealing 
all laws which had been revised at this session,^ there were 
forty-six chapters in the act of 1715. Of the one relating to 
education we have already spoken. The establishment of relig- 
ion Avas not changed, but provision* was made when there is no 
incumbent in a parish the poll tax should be used for repair- 
ing, completing, furnishing, or even building a church, and if 
not needed therefor to l^e apyjlied to the purchase and stock- 
insi- of a s'lebe for the use of the minister. This we see is 
evidently a result of the meeting of the clergy in 1711, and 
we shall note other instances where an act recommended to one 
session is passed at a future one. Evidently the legislators of 
the province were not to be hurried in their deliberations. 

Another act ■' ' ' for the better security of His Majesty '^ * * 
and for extinguishing all hopes of the friends" of the "pre- 
tended Prince of Wales," provided a form of an oath of abjura- 
tion to be taken by all pu))lic officers, and especially b}^ vestry- 
men, in lieu of the former oaths. The Protestant party is 
beginning to cut off' Romanists from the privileges they had 
enjoyed. 

The only other religious matter" which engaged the atten- 
tion of the assembl}^ was a petition of the Quakers to the 
council stating that the '""Yearly meetings" at West River and 
Tred Haven, which they had held for about forty years for 

iL.H.,J. Junes, 1715. 

2Aet of 1715, ch.8. 

^Act of 1715, ch.49. Most of these are revised laws. Act of 1719, ch. IG, specifies what 
laws were now repealed. 

*Act of 1715, ch.24, repeals 1704-12. Taxables were male persons, except Anglican 
clergymen and paupers and female slaves above IG years of age. Slaves past labor might 
be so adjudged by the county corrt and then ceased to be taxables. Act of 1715, ch.45, 
sec. 5. 

'■> Act of 1715, ch. 30, repeals 1704-11. 

«U.H.J., May 10, 1715. 



RESTOKATION OF FROPEIETARY OF MARYLAND. 253 

the worship of Ahnio-hty God, had been disturbed ))y the sale 
of liquor near l)v. From this "ai-ise drunkenness, fighting, 
hooping, hollowing, swearing, cursing, wrestling, horse rac- 
ing, and abundance of wickedness and inniioralities." This 
must 1)6 stopped at once, and henceforth let no liquor be sold, 
save at licensed ordinaries, nor any sports be carried on within 
•2 miles of either meeting house. Let the sheriffs see that 
order is preserved. Sheriffs were always disliked and the 
committee of aggrievances state that sheriff's take advantage 
of the law which decrees the date when money shall he paid 
thtMU, but not when the}^ shall pa}' it out again to the public 
creditors. In some cases they Avill not pay it out without 
reward.^ This is scandalous, and when the committee of laws 
examine into it they find not only this but other ill practices 
need to be guarded against, and so a comprehensive act is 
passed " for the direction of sheriff's in their offices. '''' ^ Annual 
appointment by justices of the peace is provided for the con- 
stables and the other executive officers of the law, and the 
duties of their office are defined. '' It would seem that sheriff's 
were not the only pul)lic officers who had abused their posi- 
tions. Early in the session^ Hart calls the attention of the 
council to ''embezzlement" of records, which had taken place 
in several counties, and recommends that a law be passed 
against it. The assembly replied with a provision^ that con- 
viction of '■'embezzling, impairing, razing, or altering" 
any record, whereby a freehold should be defeated or injured, 
should involve the terrible punishment of forfeiture of all 
property, standing in the pillory for two hours, and loss of 
both ears. 

The election of future assemblies took a considerable part 
of the attention of this one, and the act now passed" was the 
basis of Maryland's electoral system for nearly a century. It 
changed little the previous system of one poll for each county, 
conducted by the sheriff' in English fashion, and continued 
the limitation of suffrage to 40-shilling freeholders,' but it 

iL.H.J.,May4,1715. 

2 Act of 1715, ch.4(5, repealing previous laws, 1704-57, 1709-6, 1713-1. 

3 Act of 1715, ch.l5. 
••U.H. J., May 1,1715. 
s Act of 1715, ch. 11. 

Act of 1715, eh. 4'J, reeiiaeted after the restoration of the proprietary act of 171G. 
(Steiner Citizenship and SulYrage in Maryland, \t. 25.) 

^ It provided that only re<i'lent freeholders could vote, and not all persons having a 
visible estate in the county. (L. H.. .January 12; U. H. J., May 23, 1715.) 



254 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

added a clause imposing a peiialt}^ on a qualilied voter who 
did not exercise his franchise. This compulsory voting law 
was a suggestion of the upper house. 

An attempt was made to limit the number of members to two 
for each county and one for Annapolis.^ This was partly 
through economy, to reduce the charge of the assembly. 
Each councillor received IK) pounds of tobacco per diem, and 
each delegate 100 pounds of tobacco and itinerary charges^ 
besides. At iirst the delegates seemed favorably inclined to 
the lesser number, but the lower house finally rejected the 
plan, and passed the bill with the old number of delegates 
retained. It is possible the delegates feared a smaller body 
might be more pliable to outside interest, and so refused 
any compromise^ in the matter. The militia law was re- 
enacted, and in connection with it we iind a proposition 
from Hart to fine those who refuse to accept commissions 
and are absent from training. The delegates agree to fine 
absent officers but say there is no use to fine those refusing 
to accept commissions, since so few do so.* 

Evidently military titles were popular at that early day. 
The danger of war was by no means an imaginary one, and 
great care was taken that the pu]:>lic arms'' be not eml^ezzled 
by their custodians. The colonels of militia, the chief mili- 
tary officers in each county, were ordered to report the con- 
dition of the arms'' since 1700, and Hart now broaches' the 
project of ])uilding a permanent stone house at Annapolis, 
which he was to see realized. After the adjournment he 
brings the matter before the council, stating that a well-built 
powder house might be useful for other occasions, particu 
larly as a council chamber, and "to receive the country, as 
well as strangers, on occasions so requiring it, especially in 
time of assemblies." He recommended that they build such 
a house from the proceeds of the 8 pence per hogshead for 
arms, and pay 10 shillings, or some other fit sum, as ground 

1 H'art's instructions urged him to do this. 

- Apparently tin abuse had grown up and law committee said expenses for boats and 
ferriages ought to come out of itinerary charges. (L. H. J., May 12, 1715; May IS, 21.) 

3 Upper house suggested three members from each county. (J., May 2.3, 1715.) 

*L. n.,T., May 2-1. 

5 Three pence of the 2-shilling tax went therefor by act of .\pril 30, 1679. 

"Col. John Contce had received anus. Iti 1701) he had died, his widow Mary had .since 
married Philemon Ilemsley, and they were rigidly called to account for the arms. 
(U. H. ,T.. Mmv 111. 11: L. H. .1., May 11, it, 1715.) 

" U. II. .)., May li, 1, 1715. 



KESTORATION ()K PROrRUnVVRY OK MARYLAND. 255 

rent for the needed hind. At the next session the upper 
house, having approvinl of Hart's suggestion, recommended 
to the delegates that a handsome house be built for the public 
arms, and that a council room be included in the plan, and 
also an apartment to "receive the country and strangers that 
may resort to his excellency the governor on any public occa- 
sions.'" The lower house agreed to this plan, and £500 ster- 
ling were appropriated therefor. The building was erected 
forthwith. In 1718 it was reported as completed" and well 
done, so that the assembly agreed to pay Thomas Cooke, the 
contractor, £100 more than the contract called for. 

The laws with reference to the Indians were revised.' The 
committee of aggrievances recommended that careful men be 
appointed in each county to hear and determine disputes 
between whites and Indians, and the bill gave power to the 
governor to appoint such. Other provisions forbade the 
sale of liquor to Indians, the kidnapping and sale of friendly 
Indians out of the province, and endeavored to prevent the 
frequent false rumors al^out Indian risings. While the assem- 
bly was in session, an apparently groundless one caused the 
dispatch of one of the delegates to the frontiers, to encourage 
the inhabitants and learn what the truth was.* 

Laws were amended and reenacted^ prohibiting the trans- 
portation of any person from the province without a pass, 
lest servants, felons, and debtors might escape from the juris- 
diction, and laying a heavy duty on the importation of rum, 
negroes, and Irish servants. These duties were rather for the 
purpose of limiting importation than for revenue, and that on 
Irish servants had a distinctly religious purpose, "the pre- 
vention of importing too great a number of Irish Papists." 

The slave code was thoroughly revised "^ and regulations 
were made for the conduct of masters toward those under 



UT. H. J., Augusts, 9, 1716. 

2U. H. J., May 6, 1718. 

3 Act of 1715, ch. 16, L. H. J., May 4, 1715. 

HI. H. J., May 17,30, 1715; L. H. J., May 17, 31, 1715. Gifts were iiitifU' to fririully In- 
dians. These last had reported they had seen " nuked Indians." It is possible the latter 
may have been Tuscaroras. 

f'Aetof 1715, ch. 19, 34. 

''Act of 1715, ch. 46. A petition was ])reseiiti'<l tliat a wliite woinan marrying a negro 
be made slave for life, but the old law was retained, providing that she be bound out for 
seven years (U.H.J., May 3,1715). The committee of aggrievances thought that law 
should be made agahist negroes gathering without leave of masters. House says law 
already provides against it (L. H. J., May 16, 17, 1715; U. H. J., May '23, 24, 1715). Heavy 
penalties were put on those aiding runaway servants. 



25(5 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

their control, so that there should not be undue cruelty'. For 
example, only 10 lashes could be given, for any offense, by a 
master; but, if he carried a peculiarly disobedient or wicked 
slave to a justice of the peace, that the latter could order a 
o-reater penalty, up to 39 lashes. The council proposed that 
manumission be limited, as in Virg-inia. Against this the 
delegates nobly protested. To restrain manumission is to 
discourage probit}^ of well-deserving negroes or mulattoes, as 
their masters can not otherwise recompense them. 

Other important acts with reference to property were those 
concerning bounds of lands, ^ an important matter with the 
rough surveys of the day, concerning conveyance of landed 
propert}^" and concerning rights of persons to town lands. ^ 
The whole testamentary law of the province, which was ad- 
ministered by the commissary-general in the prerogative 
court at Annapolis and by the deputy commissaries in the 
counties, received a careful amendment and was reenacted.* 

The tobacco trade, of course, received attention.'^ Earh^ in 
the session Hart proposed that all tobacco be shipped between 
October 1 and May 10 in each 3"ear, as the longer it hangs the 
more it loses scent, freshness, substance, weight, and good- 
ness in every respect, and linally onl}^ the shape and nothing 
of the substance of the tobacco remains. Further, the limi- 
tation of time of shipment will quicken trade and cheapen 
freight. The council suggested a conference committee from 
two houses. This met at Hart's own house, and to it he pro- 
posed his plan. He added that the backwardness in prepar- 
ing the tobacco for shipment was largel}' due to the delay in 
getting cask timber properly seasoned and ready to be set up, 
and this delay of the coopers was largeh' because of the un- 
certainty of their pay. Would it not be well to have a law 
appointing a time 3'early to get such cask timber ready and 
for the coopers to set it up, and granting them the right to 
take their pay b}^ execution ^ ''The worm bites more" the 

1 Act of 1715, ch.45, U. H. J., May 28, 1715. Proposed in council. Delegates thank them 
for proposing so useful a law. 

-Act of 1715, ch. 47. Committee of aggrievance.s complained that fines and recoveries 
had been proposed in provincial court to cut off entails. The house .said tliis is a griev- 
ance and tends to ruin of many (L. H. J., May 15, 17, 1715) . 

^Act of 1715,ch.32. 

^ Act of 1715, ch. 39. Clause was inserted preventing the commissary-general from tak- 
ing fees from estates less value than .t30 (L. H.J., May 15,17,1715). 

^U. H. J., May l,{i, 1715, L. H., May 3, thanked Hart fur oll'eriiig to join in t-onl'erenee and 
have it at his liouse. 



RESTORATION OF PR0PRIP:TARY OF MARYLAND. 257 

ships which are forced to stay, and so the sloops, flats, and 
othei" craft which carry Maryland's staple would find the pro- 
posed law highly beneficial. Under it they would receive a 
timeh" cargo, and further, if ships drop in all the year round, 
the tobacco buyers will purchase no more of it at a time than 
just from hand to mouth, while if the whole crop went to 
market at once, the buyers would purchase a whole 3'ear's 
stock at once, and thus the price would always be kept up. 
Thus argued the governor, and the conference accepted all 
his plan, save that they decline to fix any date by which the 
tobacco should be ready. In the pressure of other afl'airs, 
however, the matter seems to have been laid aside. 

An act was passed^ for securing merchants' tobacco, to pre- 
vent alteration of marks on bogheads and to forbid the pack- 
ing of " any frost-bitten, trashy, ground leaves, or small, dull 
scrubs, or any stalks, stems, wood, stones, dirt, or an}" other 
manner of trash, or old, decayed tobacco in the inward parts 
of such hogsheads, when the generality of such tobacco as 
shall be packed in the outward parts is good, sound, and mer- 
chantable." "Small, dull, scrubby tobacco, and ground 
leaves " might ])e packed separately and labeled so as not to 
impose on purchasers. Tobacco being the great Source of 
revenue for government," the act ascertaining the gauge of 
hogsheads and for laying impositions on tobacco per hogshead, 
for the support of government, was alwaj^s an important one, 
especially as it included a composition in tobacco for the lord 
proprietarj^'s alienation fines and quit rents. Another impor- 
tant act was one requiring all weights and measures used in 
the colony to be yearly compared with the standards kept by 
the justices of each county, that tobacco and other things 
might be given in full quantity and weight.'^ 

While the assembly was sitting came news of the death of 
the old Lord Proprietary, and a letter from Benedict 
Leonard, the new lord, announcing to Hart that the King 
is about to restore him the government. Hart,* after tak- 
ing advice of the council, announces these things to the 
delegates^ and requests them to provide an act to take the 



I Act of 1715, ch. 22. 
2Ibid.,l'15, eh.38. 
3 Ibid., 1715, ch. 10. 

* U. H. J., May 30, 1715; L. H. J., June 1. 

5 Lower house thanks Hart for news, and expresses joy that propriotary i.s Piutostant. 
HIST yy, VOL I 17 



258 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

place of the payment of 12 pence per hogshead of tobacco,^ 
which had been g-iven to Charles for his life in return for his 
receiving tobacco at 2 pence per pound, in lieu of quit rents 
and alienation lines. The house passed the gauge act we have 
noticed above, granting a duty of 18 pence per hogshead.^ 
The old duty w^as to be continued for four months more. 

An old quarrel was recalled for a moment this session. 
Sir Thomas Lawrence, who had been secretary of the province 
twenty years before, had claimed that the ordinaries' lines, or 
profits from saloon and hotel licenses, as we should say, be- 
longed to the secretary. The popular party and Colonel 
Blakiston claimed they belonged to the country. Baltimore 
said he had given them to a relation when he had the govern- 
ment, and would reclaim them were the government again in 
his hands. Hart thought they belonged to the Crown, ^ and 
asked the assembly to find out what is their amount. He 
stated he was willing to have the proceeds used for building 
a governor's house. The council and lower house agree that 
they would be willing by law to devote them to this purpose, 
but the lower house sa}^ they are not willing to appropriate 
additional money therefor for two reasons: They wish, first, 
to know how much the fines are, and secondl}^, the circum- 
stances of the province are too low. Hart writes he is 
content to share their present circumstances, though he 
thinks it for the honor and interest of the province to have a 
governor's house.* 

The house of delegates, as usual, had complaint to make of 
the revenue officers,^ who are too many in number, and take 
extravagant salary from the 3-pence duty for arms while they 
should be paid from the fines and forfeitures. Hart responds 
that he will have the number of receivers reduced to one, 
and will see that salaries are taken from the proper source.^ 

1 Hart told them that Benodift Leonard was not satisfied with the old duty, vide U. H. 
J., July 29, 17U5. 

-Act of 1715, c'h. 19. In 1718, the >ipper house raised the question as to the dispo.sition 
of this tax (U. H.J. , May 5). Carroll is summoned and .says Benedict Leonard knew 
nothing of the law. Carroll sent the money to England. Carroll was authorized by 
Benedict's executor to take all his per.sonal estate is the province and took a half year's 
rent as consideration for .sending the money to England (L. H. J., May 7). 

^U. H. J., May 16, 19, 25, 26, 1715. 

^The delegates offer to pay Hart's rent. He asks that they appropriate for repairs to 
his house. 

5 U.H. J., May 15,1715. 

6 He investigated the matter and reported at a later session. 



RESTOEATION OF I'ROPKIKTARY OF MARYLAND, 259 

Here, as ever, Ave see both })iirts of" the o-oveniment working 
together for the public g-ood. 

The procedure of the courts received much attention. 
Laws were passed estal^lishing^ court days in the counties, 
providing'^ that execution be suspended during the sunnncr 
and autumn months that people might not be imprisoned to 
the ruin of their crops, regulating^ the drawing of jurors, 
directing the manner of suing out attachments,* determining 
the period of limitations for various kinds of actions,'' pro- 
viding what shall be good evidence to prove foreign and other 
del)ts,'^ and permitting the taking of special bail.^ Other 
statutes authorized speedy recovery of small debts before a 
single justice of the peace," rectified the ill practices of attor- 
neys and fixed a table of fees to the attorney-general and law- 
yers,^ arranged for the better administration of justice in the 
courts,^" for the more speedy recovery of debts, for prevent- 
ing officials to plead as attorneys in their courts, and for the 
collection of amercements. 

It was decreed what damages should be allowed upon pro- 
tested bills of exchange,'^ and several acts for the benefit of 
poor debtors were passed. ^^ One of these was for the relief 
of the "languishing prisoner," Peter Sewell. Following the 
rule that no private act be passed without hearing those 
opposed, the council again had Charles Carroll before it.^^ 
He opposed the relief of Sewell, saying he mortgaged two 
negroes several times over and, therefore, is least worthy of 
conmiiseration. Hart had been for some time interested in 
this case and generously repeated a previous offer to give £5 
toward making up Sewell's debt, if his creditors have no com- 
passion. Let us hope Sewell, when released, Avas more care- 



! Act of 1715, ch. 14. 4 Ibid., ch. 40. ''Ibid.,ch.28. 

2 Ibid., ch. 33. 5 Ibid., ch. 23. 8ibid.,ch. 12. 

3 Ibid., ch. 37. »Ibid.,ch.29. 9Ibid.,ch.48. 

1" Act of 1715, ch. 41. The justices of Dorchester sold the amercements to the sheriffs for 
several years at a considerable loss. This is a grievance, say the delegates, as it not only 
lessens the public credit, but also gives power to the sheriff to burthen the people with 
several fees (L. H.J. , May 4, 1715.) Lower house asks what has been done with aniiTce- 
iiients in provincial court. Hart says they were given to clerk of council, but small in 
amount. This explanation was satisfactory. 

11 Act of 1715, ch. 7. 

12 L. H. J., May 15, 16; act of 1715, ch. 17, 20, 21 . 

IS U. H.J. , May 15. Council May 2, on petition of .John Leatherwood, an old and poor 
inhabitant of Baltimore County, who has lieen a "good liver,' recommend justices of 
that county court to discharge him from paying public levy. 



260 AMERICAN HISTOKICAL ASSOCIATION. 

fill ill hU futiiro tinancial dealings. Otlier private acts^ were 
passed, though in general the assembly declined to interfere 
when there wa.s a remedy in the courts.^ One of the attempts 
to secure the passage of a private bill, In'ought in what looked 
like an attempt to bribe a member of the council, to whom 
the applicant wrote that he would reimburse him for an}^ 
trouble^ and " would have sent money, but it is a thing a body 
can not trust everybody with," Two other questions of priv- 
ilege came up at this session. Hart complained to the coun- 
cil that Mayor Josiah Wilson, delegate for Prince George's, 
deserved public censure for scurrilousl}^ reflecting on him and 
a second delegate by calling the latter the governor's agent.* 
At another time the governor said one of the council had 
broken his oafh to keep secret its proceedings. In neither 
case was an}^ answer made. 

Revised laws were passed concerning adultery and fornica- 
tion, cursing, and drunkenness,'^ and for the speedy trial of 
criminals." The law for ascertaining the height of fences and 
redressing the great evil arising from the multiplicity of use- 
less horses that run in the woods ^ caused some discussion,* but 
was finally passed. The jealousy of the northern province 
was shown by an act prohibiting importation of grain, bread, 
beer, and horses from Pennsylvania.^ 

Such was the legislation of the assembly of 1715, a noble 
legacy from the royal to the proprietary province.^" Twice 
before, in 1692 and 1704, the laws had undergone revision, 
but neither revision remained long in force. This work of 
Andrew Hamilton and his colleagues remained the law, with 
little change, till long after the State of Maryland succeeded 
the province. 

After the adjournment of the assembly" Hart called his 
council together. Grave tidings had come. There was now no 
question of checking illegal trade with the French, of seeing 

I Act of 1715, ch. 2, 3, 5, 6, 35. '" Ibid., ch. 27, 34. 
2E.g.,U.H.J.,May4,1715. ojbid., ch.26. 
3L.H.J.,May9. 'Ibid., ch. 31. 

•HI. H. J., May 20,30. su. H. J., May 2C,27; L. H.J. , May 27. 

»Actof 1715,eh. 18. 

"'Ill this year the merchants of Maryland sent an address to the Crown that Hart's 
administration had l)t'en to the general satisfaction. 

II A curious jK'tition of two men against the inhabitants of Queenstown, in tiueen Anne 
County, remained unanswered. They complained of oppression becau.se hogs and live 
stock are raised on the lots in that town, which is so small that the animals trespass on 
the petitioners' lands. (L. H.,J.,,luly oO, 1711).) 



RESTOEATION OF PR0PRIP:TARY OF MARYLAND. 2G1 

that the vessels cleariiio- from Maryland provided themselves 
with Algerine passes so that they might be safe from the fierce 
pirates, or of fixing fees in chancery. News had come from 
Governor Spotswood, in Virginia,^ that the terrible Tusca- 
rora war had jjroken out in South Carolina and two hundred 
families had been massacred at Port Royal."' Spotswood 
sends aid to South Carolina and asks that Maryland do the 
same and watch her own safety. The council say they can 
spare no arms; all must be saved for our frontier, whither 
Hart agrees to go in person. A month later'' the council met 
again. The Potomac Indians were said to have gone out. 
Arms were ordered to be sent to the frontier counties of 
Prince George, Baltimore, and Cecil. Blakiston * was in- 
structed to bu}' <£500 worth of arms and ammunition. A 
special lev}' on the province was decided to be made by Hart 
and any three of the council, if they see need.^ Lead and 
powder in the possession of tradesmen should be at once con- 
demned for the public use and lodged with the '"colonels.""" 
After another month" the excitement had calmed down. 
Spotswood writes again there is no damage from the Vir- 
ginia Indians, He wishes Mar^dand, Virginia, and North 
Carolina would raise 1,500 men and attack the Indian towns. 
Virginia has already sent 300 men to South Carolina, in return 
for which South Carolina pays each volunteer and sends 
a slave to work in his place. May not Maryland make a simi- 
lar contract? Mar3dand declines to do so, and the danger 
dies awa}'. No other Indian trouble disturbs the adminis- 
tration. 

Hart was a man of infirm health. He complains of ill 
health in the fall after his arrival in the province,** and is 
severely ill when Bladen transmits for him the proceedings 

1 Vide Coun. Proc, April 13, 1715. 

2 His autograph letter is preserved in the eouncil proceedings. Spotswood liad never 
met Hart. 

•! July 12,13,1715. 

■1 May 31, 1717, Blakiston reported he had spent £257 10s. 4d. for arms and had saved the 
rest of the appropriation for future use, as arms were so high at the time of the great 
reV)ellion. 

■"'The governor had a certain discretionary power over the country stock of arms and 
ammunition, in case of exigency, e.g., May 31, 1717, he reported having given the neces- 
sary amount to several vessels to protect them from pirates. 

OL. H. J., July 18,1716. Richard Ledger, of Prince George, is paid for a Uovsv whicli died 
hi removing arms to oppose the thrt'utened attack from Indians. 

" August 24, 1715. 

« Letter of September 14,1711. 



262 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

of the assembly and the report of the Indian war. When he 
recovered he found his position a perplexed one. A letter 
had come from Lord Guilford announcing- that Benedict 
Leonard was dead and that he was guardian of the young 
Lord Charles.^ As such he had nominated Hart "lieuten- 
ant and chief governor of the province," and the nomination 
having roj^al approval, the commission and instructions would 
follow at once. They came, but brought no official intima- 
tion that the government was restored to the proprietary. 
The council advise Hart to pay no attention to the new com- 
mission until this preliminar}^ be positivel}^ known. For four 
months the doubt continued, and the sessions of the courts of 
chancery and appeals were postponed until it could be known 
under whose commission they could sit.^ Finall}^ the news 
came, and the council were sent for at Christmas time. The 
weather was violent and hard and deep snow lay on the 
ground when the meral)ers met on the evening of December 
27. The next day at noon, in the public court-house, the 
accession of the new proprietary was proclaimed and Hart's 
new commission read.^ The assembly was dissolved and a 
new one summoned. Thus the rule of the proprietary was 
restored over Maryland, though much of the former authority 
had been shorn away. Theoretically, the second Charles had 
the same rights as the first; practically, the tweutj^-five years 
since the grandfather had ruled had made a vast difference. 
An unknown youth was at the head of affairs. The people 
seemed to have cared but little for the change,* and, save 
for the religious quarrels which now arise, the course of 
events moves on precisely as before. The Protestants knew 
that the young proprietary was of their faith, but were slightly 
apprehensive lest he might lean too much toward the adher- 
ents of his grandfather's faith. The Romanists were hopeful 
that they might gain greater influence and })e restored to their 
position in old times, before the proprietary lost the province. 
For the time being little difficulty on this score appeared. 
The new assembly met ^ on April 24, 1710. Matthew Tilgh- 

1 Council proceedings August 24. 

2 Council proceedings September 3, 1715. 

» Council records lost from tliis on. As early as May 19, 1719, Hart told tlic council that 
thirteen months' proceedings of that body while Bladen was clerk were missing. 

<McMahon,p. 280. 

'■ MacNamara chosen clerk lower house and approved by Hart. Records of upper house 
for tliis session are lost. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND, 263 

man Ward, of Talbot County, was chosen speaker, and, accord- 
ing to custom, "decently and submissively disabled himself to 
undergo so mighty a charge," but finally accepted it. Hart's 
opening speech refers to the new government and to his per- 
sonal knowledge of the "gentle and sweet disposition" of the 
young lord. He hopes that the province will be happy under 
the new regime. 

The new government made it necessary to change the style 
of all laws, and Hart showed his thoughtfulness and kindness 
of disposition by asking the assembly to "make the change 
as light as possible to the people, for I am so sensible of the 
l)urden of long and frequent assemblies that I am Avilling to 
ease them on any part." This was somewhat of a sacrifice 
from him, as he received a fee as chancellor for affixing the 
seal to every law. In the end it was found necessary to reen- 
act less than half a dozen acts. 

Another point in his speech showed his interest in the peo- 
ple. It was for the interest of the well to do, of whom the 
assembly was composed, to have quit rents paid in sterling 
money, according to the terms of the grants, but such pay- 
ment was a hardship to the common people. A "particular 
ought always to give way to the general good;" therefore Hart 
entreats the assembly to remember the poor and pass a com- 
position act, which Lord Baltimore has agreed to accept upon 
his solicitation. A failure to pass this act would disappoint 
Baltimore in the due receipt of rents, would injure tenants 
holding lands under condition of punctual payments, would 
check the future cultivation of remote and forest parts of the 
province, and would cause the remoter inhabitants to desert 
their yet but poor improvements. 

This session again was to prove an abortive one. Scarcely 
had Hart delivered his address when a rumor came that the 
proprietary had died and that King George is taking all the 
proprietary governments under royal rule.^ The assembly 
ask to be prorogued, as, if this rumor be true, their session 
would be in vain. Hart grants their request. Before he has 
found the rumor groundless and called them together again a 
most vexatious incident occurred. 

Early in June Hart went to Cecil County, and in his absence, 

1 McMahon, p. 271, spe.aks at some length of this movement. Baltimore petitioned 
against it and estimated his MaryUuul revenue at tS.OOO per annum. 



2(U AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

on June 10, the anniversary of the pretenders birth/ "some 
wicked, dislo3^al, and traiterous persons" loaded four of the 
great guns on the court-house hill in Annapolis and tired two 
of them. This was in honor of the pretender, in contempt of 
King George, and '"to the extreme surprise, dread, and dis- 
quiet of all" good people. Hart hurried back and issued a 
proclamation offering a reward for the guilty persons and 
pardon for any who would turn state's evidence. William 
Fitz Redmond, a nephew of Charles Carroll, and Edward 
Coyle were arrested on suspicion. A special court of oyer 
and terminer was called. Jacob Fox confessed he tired one of 
the guns, and sufficient evidence was secured to convict the 
person who tired the other gun." He was whipped and pil- 
loried. Fitz Redmond and Coyle were convicted of "drink- 
ing the pretender's health and speaking contemptibly of the 
King,"^ and were heavily fined and imprisoned until the fines 
were paid. This trial was the beginning of the struggle 
between the Anglican and the Romanist parties. Thomas 
MacNamara appeared as attorney for the defense. He was 
a relation of Carroll and a man of stublwrn disposition and of 
fiery temper.* In Philadelphia,'* where he had lived before 
coming to Maryland, he had been presented by the grand jury 
for his insolent behavior in court, especially for appearing 
there at one time with his sword drawn, and had been dis- 
barred upon this presentment." He was now especially auda- 
cious and insulting in his bearing, and is reported to have 
publicly said: "Let me see who dares try them by this 
commission." 

1 The insiirrectiou in England headed by the pretender had broken out, and the Mary- 
land Jacobites were so elated with hopes of their imaginary success, so open and glaring 
in their presumption, that Hart felt obliged to check them by a proclamation dated Feb- 
ruary 14, 171(i. (Hart's speech, April 5, 1720.) 

2 Vide U.H.J. , July 26,1716. 

•' Strangely enough complaint was lodged against Hart for permitting this. The com 
plainant, however, was widow Mary Contee, who married Philemon Helmesly. 

* Barrister at law of Gray's Inn. (U. H. J., May 1.5, 1719.) 

^ Penn. Col. Rec., 11, 4.57, June 6, 1709. Remonstrance to assembly by freeholders and 
inhabitants of I'hiladelphia, and by them to the governor and council, with request for 
relief, that MacNamara "vilified nv\ brought" Queen Anne's "royal power^into con. 
tempt" by saying at the .';upreme court in Philadelphia, on April 11, 1709, that the Queen 
had no right to issue the order in council of January 21, 1702, allowing Quakers to affirm, 
and that the order was against the law. The petitioners ask that MacNamara, for this 
offence "and others, his insolency's, contempts, and abuses, openly and scandelously 
committed in the city sesssions in the face of the court and country, as by an address or 
representation of the same, by the grand jury presented, fully is demonstrated, may not 
have liberty to practise as an attorney at law in any of the courts of this province." 

»Tlie presciitiiicnt states that the report is that he was previously disbarred in Mary- 
land. (II.II.J., April 29, 171.S: vide May 6.) 



RESTORATION OF PROlMllETARY OP" MARYLAND. 205 

From this time the feud between him und the g'overnor avus 
unrelenting. With Carroll there also arose a dithculty which 
ended only when Hart left the province. Carroll came forth 
and said he had a commission from the proprietary which 
gave him such power that he could and would discharge the 
lines. ^ This was a most distasteful announcement to Hart 
and he ordered Carroll to record his commission in the secre- 
tary's office as '■''a public trust or employment." Carroll 
steadfastly refused to take the oath, and Hart told him plainly 
he should not regard him as a public officer, but would render 
him all requisite assistance in the execution of any matters 
with reference to the proprietary's "lands or other private 
matters." 

The facts in the case seem to have been that immediately 
upon Charles's accession Carroll had gone to England, and 
making representations of his long and faithful service as 
private agent of the late proprietary, had secured a commis- 
sion as "chief agent, escheator, naval officer,^ and receiver- 
general of all rents, or arrears of rents, fines, forfeitures, to- 
baccos, or moneys for land warrants, of all ferries, waifs, 
strays, and deodands; of duties arising from or growing due 
upon exportation of tobacco aforesaid, tonnage of ships, and 
all other moneys, tobaccos, or other efi'ects in any manner or 
ways now due, or hereafter to grow due, whether by pro- 
tested })ills of exchange or otherwise." He was empowered 
to appoint inferior officers. It is doubtful whether Guilford 
fully realized how extensive the powers were, but Hart did 
at once, and tells the assembly at their meeting on July 17, 
1716, that the grant of such powers to another, and "" espe- 
cially to a Papist, is such a lessening of his power and dishonor 
to his character that he has desired to l)e recalled unless he 
can be restored to the full authority he held under the Crown." 
Powers formerly exercised by Hart's deputies are now put 
into the hands of 'Carroll's, who have taken no oath for the 
fulfillment of law.' Hart has always adyised the proprietar}^ 
"never to employ any papists in the public attairs of this 
province." Yet, probably because Carroll had deceived the 



1 Hart's speech of April 5, 1720, said that he remanded the prisoners to custody. 

-Upper house, August 1,1716, said royal instructions gave Hart as governor in Mary, 
land the power to appoint naval officers. 

^12, 14, ch. 11, for encouragement of sliipping. 15, eh. 11, on trade; 7 and 8 William, 111, 
for preventing frauds. Upper House, .July 20,1710, resolved Carroll t'ould not be naval 
officer without taking the oaths. 



266 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

lord proprietary and hi.s guardian, lie is made receiver of the 
duties for defense,' public charges, and support of govern- 
ment,' He had the impudence to ask Hart to account for 3d. 
for arms,^ when Hart flamed out upon him with ""'I would as 
soon give you up my heart's blood." Clearly Hart has 
much to tell this assembly. He asks the council what is their 
opinion. They all agree that, not having taken the abjuration 
oath, Carroll can not hold pul)lic office, and all save one answer 
that the proprietary has been imposed upon.* They summon 
Carroll before them and ask him whether he told the authori- 
ties in England that he was a Roman Catholic, that he would 
not take the oaths, that acts of Parliament forbade his holding 
these offices ^ ^ How came he to take these offices knowing he 
could not take the lawful oaths? Who are the surve3"ors- 
general and deputy surveyors of the land office? 

Carroll answers" that he did not tell these things in England, 
because it was not necessary and l)ecause he was not asked to 
make a profession of faith. He knows an oath should be 
taken b}^ each public officer and is willing to take one for the 
punctual performance of duties. For some years he had held 
without question all the offices that the proprietary could 
grant, and so did not hesitate to take the additional ones. 
Further he does not believe that the act of abjuration is of 
force in the province. His faithful services and the justness 
of his accounts were the only inducements which led the pro- 
prietary to appoint him. As to surveyor-generals, Walter 
Pye and Henry Sewall, two Roman Catholics, claim that office, 
but there was difficulty about their qualification.'' Twelve 
commissions had been sent over and been put in their hands to 
be delivered to Protestants, where such formerl}'^ held office," 
but these could not be delivered on account of the council's 
action. So Carroll declared the land office closed, and thus 
the people suffered detriment. 

1 3d. each per hogshead. 

2 I2d. per hogshead exported. 

•'Hart in speech of April 5, 1720, said Carroll's commission authorized him to receive all 
money for the support of government and for purchasing arms and at a time when 
the prutender was scarce suppressed. 

•• Lloyd, the sole exception, dryly sajrl he could not tell the proprietary's motives. 

f> July 19,1710, U.H.J. 

«July 25, 1716, U. H. J. 

■ U. H. J., July 20,1716, July 25. 

•* Lower house says every county except Queen .\nne's, and possibly that, has liad a 
Catholic surveyor, and so Carroll might nominate such again. (L. H. J., July 7, 1716.) 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 267 

The council said Carroll evades their ciuerics/ and Hart 
told him not to say he has closed the land otlice, but to have 
the surveyor's commissions delivered and let the work o() on. 
Hart told the council that before sailino- for Eng-land Carroll 
showed him a petition he intended to present to Benedict, 
asking' that Koman Catholics have an equal share of the offices. 
Hart persuaded him not to present it, saying, "I would 
oppose it with the utmost vigor,'' and Carroll promised not to 
do so; but evidentl}^ has broken his word. ~ With this unfaith- 
ful (dealing Hart taxed him before several of the council. ■' " 1 
acknowledge that I gave that representation," answered Car- 
roll, "but it did not import that the Roman Catholics might 
be qualified for employments, but that the}^ might be unqual- 
ified for them.'' "A poor and Jesuitical evasion," Hart calls 
this remark. '"By what claim of right," asks the governor, 
"did you ofi'er that representation; for ])y law Romanists can 
not hold ministerial offices without qualifying?" " B}' the 
instrument granted ])y Cecilius, Lord Baltimore, which I 
believe was burnt in the State house," cried Carroll, with 
great vehemence, "and w^e will insist on that right, and if 
the Lord Guilford will not admit of our right, we will appeal 
to higher powers." 

Other matters troubled Hart. The proprietary is using a 
great seal in England. Thus the governor's perquisites are 
diminished, while he is held answerable for that over w hich 
he has no control, and the people are under great uncertainty, 
which is still more intolerable. Another difficulty arose in 
connection with the act for the composition for rents.* Henry 
Darnall, a Romanist, had offered Baltimore £300 annually for 
his "growing" rents. Carroll says, provided the farmer paid 
the officers' salaries, he believes Baltimore would have accepted 
this offer. In fact, there seems to have been made out a 
lease to Darnall, though the latter, seeing the opposition, said 
he would not accept it, as he did not wish to "interfere with 
the interests of his lordship and the countr}'." Hart felt that 

this lease hurt his honor, as he had sent to Baltimore a pro- 

. j_ 

1 Hart said CarroU's commission gave him appointment of rangers contrary to prt)vin- 
cial law, which gave it to the governor. Carroll answered he had not thought (jf the 
law, and could not help what Baltimore put in his commission. 

= Vide Hart's address of April 5, 1V20; also that of April 22, 1718. 

3 Speech of April 22, 171S. 

* U. H. J., July 20, 1716; July 23, 24. 



208 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

posal for the satisfaction of the rents, and assures the dele- 
gates that the lease was until now unknown to him. Hart's 
intention to resign was made known to the delegates on July 
20 when he sent them Carroll's commission. He tells them 
he shall not omit to inform the proprietary of such men, as 
"either have or may lead him into improper measures so as 
to give any disgust to the well affected. " He attributes his 
treatment to the advice of some persons who either are not 
capable or unwilling to give better counsel. 

Two days after the session opened^ the delegates sent Hart 
an address, which was reall}^ an answer to his speech of the 
preceding April. It is loyal in tone; expresses hope that in 
the future they shall be happy as in the past, and that the 
"aspiring interest of those that term us heretics will not be 
able to prevail against us." It thanks Hart for his words, 
promises cooperation with him, and praising his "impartial- 
ity" and "unbiased administration," states that if the pro- 
vincials could select a governor he would be their choice. 

When Hart announced his purpose to resign, both houses 
prepared an address' condemning " the late audacious, wicked, 
and rebellious practices of many disaffected persons," which 
"gave us no small uneasiness," and praising Hart's "zeal" 
and " exact discharge " of duty. The address expresses regw t 
that the "artifices of every evil-designing person" should 
influence the proprietary to "lop off' so many branches of 
Hart's power," and especiall}" because the "brancnes" are 
given to papists. They promise to address Baltimore against 
Hart's leaving, "the very thoughts whereof strike such a 
damp upon our spirits that we are scarce able to express the 
miseries we may well fear are about to break in upon us b}" 
an inundation of popery and slavery." 

The address was accordingly drawn up.'' It is more loyal 
to Hart than to Baltimore, and, while congratulating the lat- 
ter upon his restoration to power, pointedly reminds him that 
this is due to the change of faith. They thank him for the 
continuance of Hart in office, and complain that his power 
has been reduced by placing part of it in the hands of a " pro- 
test papist" who will not take the oaths, and b}^ granting in 

1 U.H.J.,, Inly 19,1716. 

2U. H..J.,July 27,1716. Signed l.y nil inembers ni the honsos. 

3 U.K. J., July 30,1716. Lower house drew it uii. 



RESTORATION OF TROPRIETARY OK MARYLAND. 209 

England blank comniis.sions under the great .seal. They ask 
that Hart's old power l)e restored and that he be thus induced 
to remain as governor and continue to foil the plans of '" those 
papists who have very lately ^soared to that height of impu- 
dence as to threaten his person and undervalue his power." 
The address warns Baltimore not to become obnoxious to King 
George nor to alienate from himself the people of Maryland, 
which would be the result of too great favor toward Roman 
Catholics. There was no danger the council would show them 
too great favor. A Romanist who " purely offers to take the 
oaths only for sake of a place '' should not be appointed, even 
though recommended by Baltimore's English agent. ^ 

The lower house was not one whit more complaisant. They 
adopted an address '^ to King George, congratulating him on 
his success in suppressing the pretender's invasion, referring 
to the benefits they had enjoyed as a royal province, and ask- 
ing him to continue his influence for the preservation of the 
people and the Protestant religion, which has very many 
adversaries. They voted to repay Hart's expenses in the late 
disturbance,^ and they sent for the sherift' of Anne Arundel 
County. "Why did you release Fitz Redmond and Coyle?" 
they sternly ask. He showed Carroll's receipt for the fines, 
and Carroll is sent for. The fines belong to the lord propri- 
etary's prerogative, sa}" the assembly, and not to his private 
estate, and Carroll, by receiving them without taking the oaths, 
has acted *' contrary to the known laws of this province," and 
has made "an inroad upon our Constitution."* 

Words were followed by acts, and the "better security of 
his Lordship's Government and the Protestant interest"" were 
provided for. The preamble to the act states that it has been 
found advantageous to Great Britain to exclude all persons from 
office who will not take oaths, and that here in Maryland the 
general assembly think themselves indispensably obliged to 
do their part in securing '"to the proprietary and the people 
their share in these benefits, especially agreeable" to us who 

iU.H.J.,July30. 

2 L. H. J., July 31,1716. Blakiston to present it. 

3 L. A. J., August 3, 1716. Upper house same day reeommended to lower house to pay 
Richard Evans for his services at that time. 

4 L.H. J., July 27, 1716. 

''Act of 1716, ch. 5. Act in force throughout provincial history. It was introduced 
in the lower house. Thisact was the result of Carroll's acts, not of the acts of the Jaco- 
bites, as McMahon says on p. 281. 



270 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

are under the immediate government of a Protestant ^ lord 
proprietor. After referring" to the late Jacobite excitement 
in the provdnce, and to the fact that the act of 1704 required 
all officials to take the oath of abjuration, the statute enacts 
that all persons now, or in the future, holding office in the 
province shall take the oaths of alleg'iance, abhorrenc}', and 
abjuration, and subscribe the test against transubstantiation. 
If persons refuse to take these oaths and still " presume to 
execute any office," their commission is declared void ah initio 
and they are liable to a fine of £250.^ The oaths may be 
required again at an}^ time while the office is held. If they have 
been taken by any person, and he afterwards be present at any 
Popish assembly and join in the "service at mass," he shall 
suffer the same penal t}^ as above. ^ The management of the 
private affairs of the proprietary is especially exempted from 
the provisions of this act.^ On the last point, there was some 
disagreement, as the lower house ^ at first did not wish even 
to exempt these, but it finally yielded to the insistence of the 
council. The delegates wished to have the officers named who 
were considered to be engaged in Baltimore's private affairs, 
but this was difficult, and brought up again the old quarrel 
about ordinary licenses,'"^ and, as they did not wish to enter 
into that matter then, the subject was dropped. 

Carroll disturbed the assembly at another point by ques- 
tioning the validity of the law^ passed in 1715. The delegates 
considered these laws as the entire code of the province and 
were very unwilling that the time and labor spent in framing 
them should be wasted. They refused to pass any laws save 
those which needed to supplement deficiencies, and declined to 
reenact the body of laws, inasmuch as their authority was 
undoubted. Carroll reminded the delegates that the King had 
not considered the acts before the restoration of the proprie- 



lOn July 27, Hart submits the council the fifty-seventh _ article of his instructions 
directing him to give liberty of conscience to all quiet persons save Papists. He says he 
has received no instruction contrary to this from the proprietary. The council agree 
that he ought still to obey the above article. 

- At suggestion of upper house; one-half to free schools, one-half to informer. 

3 Added by upper house July 28, 1716. 

^U. H.J. , July 31; August 1,4,6,1716. 

6 Hart tried to get the assembly to take action in this matter ( U. H. J. , August 2, 1716) , and 
to fix ordinary licenses (U. H. J., August 3, 1716), but delegates refused, August 4, 1716 (L. H. 
J., July 21,1716. ) The upper hou.se insisted that the law as to fines and forfeitures be 
reenacted so as to transfer the right to them to the proprietary. This was done. (Act of 
1716, ch. 38.) 



RilSTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 271 

tary, l)ut they answer him that the efficacy of hiws dates not 
from the date of the royal consideration l)ut the time of pas- 
sage by the assembl3^ 

There was not much legislation at this session. Seven of 
the twenty-one acts passed were private ones, and several of 
the others were rendered necessary b}^ the change of rulers. 
The gauge act and that granting the proprietary 18 pence per 
hogshead was reenacted.^ Over the first there was consider- 
able discussion. Guilford had sent over drafts which he 
wished passed. In these the enactment is stated to have been 
made by the proprietary and the assembly, as was the custom 
l)efore 1688. In the reign of Queen Anne, the governor had 
been mentioned as a separate estate, and the assembly deter- 
mines to continue such mention.^ 

The revenue laws themselves caused some difficulty. The 
lower house agreed ■* to lay an additional duty of 6 pence per 
hogshead in full recompense to the proprietary for his rents 
and lines for alienation, provided the 3 pence tax for defraying 
the public charge be repealed, and its place be taken by an 
increased tax on negroes and Irish servants imported into 
the province. The upper house agreed to this, but Carroll, 
as Baltimore's agent, protested against the allowance of a 
percentage of the tax as fees for the officers collecting it. 
The upper house refused to raise any further sum as salary 
for the officers, and Carroll withdrew his objection, saying he 
did so without precluding Baltimore's right to show that he 
should not be so l)urdened.* Some days later Carroll wrote 
to Hart warning him not to sign certain laws,^ in which phrase 
he plainly included the revenue ones, and directing him to turn 
over the residue of the revenue after deducting the governor's 
salary. This letter is at once transmitted to the assembly, 
which advises Hart to pay over the 18 pence tax, but not the 
15 pence tax raised for support of government unless Carroll 



' To continue five years, till the proprietary was of age. ( Act of 1716 ch. 8, and 19, U. H. 
J.,.Tuly 20.) 

"Hart suggested the guardian's (Lord (Juilford) name should appear. Lower house 
(.luly 21) objected that the proprietary is a body politic and i.s not mentioned in his 
natural capacity, therefore he can not be a minor. Hart yielded. 

3L.H. J., July 29,1716. 

■•Vide L. H. J., August 3, 1716, where lower house agrees to relieve Baltimore of part of 
the discount. Hart says he will approve it, if the assembly will rei)ay him in case Balti- 
more makes him pay therefor. 

•'•Council, August 1, 1716, asked Carroll to euumerate them. He said it would be very 
difficult. 



272 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

takes the oath.s. They pronounce the caution in CarrolFs hot- 
ter unintelligible,' a general threat against passing any laws, 
"designed to disturb Hart in his weak state of health,"" and 
for other secret ends. Carroll has ' • used a very indecent ' way 
and freedom' with Hart" in assuming to himself the liberty 
of directing him in so general a manner. This freedom had 
never before been "used by a subject to a governor." The 
council added that Baltimore's agents in Maryland and Eng- 
land "have given signal marks of their disingenuity." Hart 
then came to the assembly, and the assembly promised to 
reimburse him for any pecuniary loss he may suffer from 
signing the bills. He thanks them, signs the bills, complains 
of the "insults in his sickness" and the barbarous treatment 
received from Carroll, and prorogues the assembly. The 
message from Carroll came to Hart at night, at a time he was 
in such a dangerous condition that he was making his will.^ 
The act raising an additional revenue from imported servants 
was passed,* but as we shall see did not receive Baltimore's 
assent. It was the only act passed at this session which he 
vetoed, in spite of Carroll's warning to Hart.^ 

Hart had always taken interest in the security of the public 
papers. ''' Shortly after his arrival he reported to the assembly 
that he had seen lighted candles in the court-house and secured 
an order that neither candles nor other fire be carried into 
offices ill the court-house, and that the clerk of the secretary 
see that the back door be locked every night "before day- 

1 U. H. J., August 10, 1716, the last day of the session. 

- Hart was sick with a violent fever about August 1, and as his instructions said noth- 
ing as to his successor in case of his death, he sent to tlie council to ask what should be 
done. An act is at once passed (Carroll making no objection) providing for the succes- 
sion, first, of the president of the council, and then of its members according to seniority. 
This had been the custom when the matter was mentioned in instructions. (Act of 1716, 
ch. 21.) Baltimore soon gave similar instructions. (U. H. J., May 29.) 

3 Speech of April 5, 1729. 

^ Upper house suggested the duty be limited to the servants imported from foreign coan- 
tries. Lower house objected, fearing the act would be eluded, as our more recent Chinese 
acts have been, and upper house withdrew amendment. 

6 One of Carroll's objections to the laws was that in case of war and a capture of the 
tobacco fleet, Baltimore, and his five brothers and sisters, would have no support for that 
year if they gave up their whole revenue for a tobacco duty. (U. H. J., August 7, 1716.) 
A message from the council to the delegates on August 6 asked that a clause be adde 1 
that tenants pay tobacco rents in the county where the land is, that such debts have 
precedence over other debts, and that they may be levied by execution. The lower 
house objected to this, .saying the land was good security. The upper hou.se further said 
captains of vessels are alarmed and wish a clause permitting them to collect their portion 
of the tax from shippers of tobacco. As to this last, the lower house says the captains 
may retain all tobacco until paid. 

OU. II. J., October 7, 1711. 



RESTORATION OF PR01>RIETARY OF MARYLAND. 273 

light ])c whut in," and opened half an hour after sunrise 
ever}^ morning. Now, through his suggestion, an aet is 
passed' for repairing the damages already sustained in the 
public records and for their future security. A committee 
was appointed to inspect the records. It reported that some 
had been lost, and a greater part of those remaining were 
much worn and damnified from the transportation from St. 
Mary's city to Annapolis, the want of good and sufficient 
l)Ooks, and the negligence of officers. These old records are 
to be repaired at pul)lic expense, and for the future all clerks, 
who receive the fees of office, must give bond to provide good 
and sufficient books and deliver the records in good order to 
their successors. Those who have worked in the ancient 
records and understand their importance will bless the assem- 
])ly of 1716 for their act, which continued in force throughout 
the province's history." 

All of the measures Hart advised were not carried. His 
plan to advance the credit of the province^ was not trans- 
muted into a law. On the other hand, the projects of the 
lower house were sometimes blocked. Especially was this 
the case with reference to the attempt to make Lloyd refund 
the sums received by him as councillor, while also receiving a 
salar}^ as acting governor.* He claimed he held two different 
offices and had a right to both salaries. The upper house ad- 
mitted that it " would have been more generous in him to have 
forgone" the councillor's salary, but it had l^een paid, and, 
while a second instance of this will be guarded against, it is 
not fitting to unravel the laws as to the past.® The delegates 
grow quite excited, accuse Lloyd of falsehood, and say that 
when councillors have offices of profit, they are never paid as 
councillors." The councillor's allowance is onh" paid to those 
who have no other way to reimburse themselves for their 

1 Act of 1716, ch. 1. 

- Vide U. H.J. , July 21, 23, 1716. A report on the subject showing that progress was 
being made was given by the committee to lower house on June 7, 1717. 7 word.s=line, 
15 lines=side=4 tob. pay. 

■' It dealt with payment of debts, vide U. H. J., July 24, 1716. 

■•Tlie matter wa.s postponed from session to session until Lloyd died. Tlien out of 
respect to his widow the matter was dropped, but the assembly resolved that no such 
future grant should be made. (L. H. J., May 30, 1719; U. H. J., May 29, 1719.) 

5 U.H. J., July 30,1716. 

^ U. H. J., August 3, July 20. He received £.52, 13.6 and 29.580 pounds of tobacco as coun- 
cillor while drawing salary as president. August 1, Lloyd had a public hearing before 
delegates, who resolved he should refund. 

• HIST 99, VOL I 18 



274 AMERICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION-. 

expenses in the service of the public. As president and act- 
ing governor he was a separate body, distinct from council, 
and bills were dissented from, because the word president 
was not in their style of enactment. He had the full nega- 
tive over laws and received larger remuneration than all the 
rest of the council. Hart's sickness was one cause why the 
matter was not pushed further at this time.^ 

The evil practices of sheriffs receive the customary con- 
demnation at this session.*^ It seems that the good people 
had been "greatly damniffed and abused in their estates" by 
the sheriffs, who seized more goods on writs of fieri facias 
than were sufficient to satisfy the demands of law. They also 
kept the goods a long time before they sold them, and finally 
disposed of them privately, and sometimes for only a tenth 
part of their value. This is great loss to both debtor and 
creditor, and ruins their families. For the future, all goods 
seized must be appraised by four substantial freeholders 
named by the parties, and the amount due is to be turned over 
to the creditor at their appraisal. 

Another act, permitting inhabitants of the province in their 
own proper persons to sue out writs when plaintiffs and give 
judgment when defendants, was passed, though the upper 
house at first objected^ that allowing persons to appear in 
their own behalf as plaintiffs would enable ill-disposed per- 
sons to gratify revenge, and cause ignorant ones to mislay 
their actions, be nonsuited, and have to pay costs. The 
upper house was more successful in opposing a law allowing 
plaintiff's to have suits removed to the provincial court when 
the amount claimed as damages is less than 5,000 pounds of 
tobacco. In opposition, the council seems to be arguing in 
behalf of the poorer and debtor classes.* The delegates com- 
plain of the ignorance of attorneys in the county courts, and 
say a failure to pass the law will discourage trade and permit 
persons to evade the act for the recover}^ of small debts, but 
the upper house was stubborn and the act failed. 

' Complaints against John Rousby, receiver of taxes, were postponed for the same 
reason. 

2 Act of 1716, ch. IC. A sheriff who liad been appointed to fill a vacancj- petitioned 
for longer time to make collections. The council say a dangerous precedent. Sheriffg 
will die at inconvenient times for their successors. (U. H. J., August 1, 1716.) 

HI. H. J., August 0,1716. 

* U. H. J., July 25, 26, 1716. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 27-5 

Much attention was given at this .session to the act' amend- 
ing the hiw oli'ering a bount}^ for killing wolves, crows, and 
squirrels.^ The upper house thought the amount paid was an 
intolerable burden, and suggested that an act be passed 
o])ligating each taxable to bring in 6 heads 3"early or pay 4 
pounds tobacco. The lower house, using a true socialistic argu- 
ment, while admitting the charge is great, claims that the 
bounty "circulates among the taxable inhabitants." Every 
person, if he chooses and thinks it worth while, maj^ kill as 
man}^ as will defray his proportion of the charge. If the 
expense continues for several years, it may then be changed. 
Very well, answers the council, at any rate, let us prevent 
fraud and be sure that the same heads are not used twice to 
obtain a bounty. Why should not they be brought to county 
courts and l)urned by the youngest justice present, after oath 
taken by the person who brought in the heads that he slew 
the animals. The lower house agreed that the heads should 
be burned,'' but a man can not swear to killing done by his 
servants, and ))ringing the heads to court would ""discourage 
many from killing those vermin." 

An additional cause of alarm to the Protestants came from 
the influx of Jacobites transported and sold as indented serv- 
ants.* Shortly after the adjournment of the assembly of 1716, 
on August 28, Hart and the council issued a proclamation for 
the sale of 80 rebels transported in the ship Friendships and 
on October 18 a second shipment of 55 men, mostly Scots, 
was received on the ship Good Speed. 

These were all indented for several years. ^ The most prom- 
inent men of the province bought their services, and some, 
unfortunately, soon lost them, as the men ran away. 

Hart's desires® were that the "gentlemen of the Romish 



1 The act of 1712, ch. 11, prohibiting sticking fish, was repealed (act of 1716, ch. 7) , as it 
only affected those living at a distance from the water who may be discovered with fish, 
(L.H. J., July 25, 1716.) 

■-' Act of 1716, ch. 2 (U. H. J., August 1, 1716; August 2, L. H. J., July 28) . Last year 45,000 
pounds paid St. Mary's; 46,000 pounds Charles; 45,000 pounds Kent; 51,000 pounds Prince 
George's; 62,000 pounds Calvert; 60,000 pounds Dorchester; 45,000 pounds Talbot; 27,000 
pounds Cecil; 140,000 pounds Somerset; 24,000 pounds Queen Anne's; 26,000 pounds Bal- 
timore; 40,000 pounds Anne Arundel. May :31, 1717, lower house again refused to repeal 
sijuirrel act. 

■'Lower house amendment excluded Indians from benefit of act. (U. H. J., August 3, 
1710.) 

■•Scharf., 1,385 pp. 

'■> Hart's letter of April 28,1717, 

B Speech of May 29, 1717. 



276 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

communion will prudently consider their own interest and 
will content themselves with the lenity of the government 
they live under." They have all privileges of citizens, save 
officeholding, and Protestants in Roman Catholic countries 
would regard this condition of things as an inestimable bless- 
ing." When we place ourselves in the position of the men 
of that day, we see that this was by no means an unnatural 
position. 

The Protestants were counseled by Hart to show themselves 
such by their "charitable demeanor toward their neighbors 
of another persuasion, since it iS no longer in their power to 
do you any injury." ^ '' When I was a soldier," says the gov- 
ernor, '"I learned this maxim: Whilst the enemy was in 
arms, to oppose him with a vigorous resolution; but when 
Providence pleased to bless the juster side with advantage, to 
treat them with humanity." Bravo ! the ruler has the milk 
of human kindness in him and forgets the insults^ the Papists 
have heaped on him, even that distressful time when Carroll 
wrote him a threatening letter, though he was dangerousl}^ ill 
with a fever and making his will, for he thought himself near 
death. 

When Baltimore and his guardian received the proceedings 
of the assembly of 1716 they promptly vetoed the servants' 
importation-^ bill and held the gauge act for further consider- 
ation. The}^ had given up the quit rents for "the good and 
relief of the poor and more numerous part of our people," 
and are surprised that the act gives Hart his salary directly, 
rather than to the proprietary for the use of the governor. 
This, "with our honor, we never can consent to," and the bill 
must be amended. As amended, it will benefit the ' ' planter 
by the ease he will find in payment of his rent, and the trader 
by the advantageous proviso of reshipping free of tax the 
tobacco upon any loss that shall happen to them at sea in 
their homeward vo3'age. The act for the securit}^ of the 
peace is approved with great alacrity, that Protestants and 
Papists maj^ clearly perceive that "your lord proprietary is 

1 Lower house, May 31, promises to aeeept this advice. (Vide U. H. J , April 5, 1720.) 
"October 9, 1716, Carroll again made demand on Hart to recognize his commission, 

and warned him against signing act for better security of government, (vide U. H.J., 

April 5, 1720.) 
31t did not allow Irish Protestants to come in free, and is dangerous to charter (U, H, 

J , June 2, 1717). 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 277 

not, a.s he has ])oen maliciously .suggested ))y some, a Papist 
in masquerade, but a true Protestant of the Church of Eng- 
land, in which faith he is resolved to live and die." Thus 
write Baltimore and his guardian to the asseml)ly, which met 
on May 20, 1717, and they ask that advice be given them 
"free and without influence." 

A promise is made not to advance any person to any prefer- 
ment for which he is not qualified by law.^ This, of course, 
would take away Carroll's commission. Such was the result 
of the representations of Hart and the assembly, and it caused 
Carroll, who insisted that Roman Catholics had the right to 
hold office, to raise contributions and send emissaries to Eng- 
land to try at the least to secure the removal of Hart. 

The address from England was read by Hart to the assembly 
at its opening. He followed it with an address, stating that 
he was ignorant of the motives of the house in passing the 
gauge bill and had found out what the motives were through 
the revelations of one of their officers in Great Britain.* He 
was not in the upper house when the bill passed there, as it 
was the time of his sickness, and now he urges the assembly 
to modif}' the bill to suit the proprietary.'^ The proprietary, 
as hereditary governor of Mar3dand, has by charter a right 
to the revenue, and he provides generously for Hart. The 
new gauge bill was drawn up and passed with the change 
Baltimore requested.* 

The session was short and harmonious. Hart prorogued it 
on June 7, after it had lasted a week and a half. Fifteen 
chapters were added to the statute book, live of which were 
local or private. The address from Baltimore and Guilford 
recommended them to lay aside all feuds and animosities, and 
they seem to have done so. If it had not been for the difficulty 
with the Romanists nothing would have prevented the province 
from increasing and flourishing under the family of Baltimore. 

The assembly was very loyal to the House of Hanover'' and 
grateful to Hart. They speak of his "tenderness of our 

1 Lower house acknowledges Baltimore's justice in this (May 31) and thanks Hart. Of 
course this caused a withdrawal of Hart's resignation (Hart's speech, April 5, 1720). 
Baltimore's letter was dated October 10, 1716. 

2 He is evidently hurt at this. The delegates apologize (May 31, 1717) vide April 5, 1720. 

3 June 5, 1717. Hart submitted Baltimore's draft of gauge bill to council. 
■•The delegates positively refuse to make any other change. (U. H. J., June 7.) 

'■L. H.J. , May 31,1717, Hart thanks them and hopes for "many halcyon days. (U. H. J., 
June], 1717.) 



278 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

privileg-es," and toll him the "largest opportunities we have 
had of demonstrating the esteem we have for your excellency 
have fallen so far short of amounting to a compliment that 
we are forced to acknowledge we have failed in doinp- justice 
to your merit. * * * Though we are limited in some 
other respects, we are not so in affection." The assembly's 
chief cause for which to thank Baltimore is his graciousness 
in retaining Hart as governor, " of whose loyalty, fidelity, 
honor, and justice we have had so ample an experience." I 
know of no colonial governor who received higher praise, and 
certainly none in Maryland, save Eden, who was ever so well 
beloved.^ Thus the assembl}^ sums up his administration for 
its first three years, "amidst the various shocks he has met 
with, we ma}' with boldness affirm, he has with a resolute 
constancy endeavored to promote your lordship's truest inter- 
est here by defending the honor of your lordship's govern- 
ment and the rights and privileges of the people under it with 
impartiality, by whose exhortation and general example we 
shall never be wanting to show a true Christian principle of 
charit3\" The only other thing of which the assembh' makes 
much in its address to Baltimore^ is its thanks that "he is a 
Protestant, and that by his recent action he has removed the 
grounds and motives of jealousies and made room for the 
truly charitable and Christian spirit of the Church of England 
to show how indulgent she is to the professors of the Romish 
religion, although the same time she knows them to be her 
irreconcilable enemies." ^ The future showed that the grounds 
and motives of jealousies were as yet far from being removed, 
but for the present all seems peaceful. This being so. Hart 
turns his attention to education. He has ever had this in 
mind, and is Nicholson's worthy successor in zeal for schools. 
Just at this time, too, the governors of the free schools have 
a petition prepared. Col. Thomas Smithson, of Talbot 
County, with ideas kindred to him of the same name, who 
has so benefited the growth of science, left a bequest of 
about £200 to the free schools. There was some danger that 
debts of the estate might diminish or wipe out the legacy, and 

1 Address to Baltimore, June 7. 1715. 

2 Address to King very loyal, June 7, 1717. 

•'They urge Baltimore not to listen to Romanists, who are not his true friends. There 
is obviously still a little doubt as to his position. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 279 

the governors ' wish to be assured against this. They repre- 
sent public education as in sorry plight. The funds scarce 
amount to £20 per annum, and were it not for the subscrip- 
tions of sundry cliaritable people the school at Annapolis 
could not be carried on. It is hopeless to think of opening 
such a school in each county " for the instructing their youth 
in good literature and manners.'' The youths' application 
and improvement are undoubted, had they the means pro- 
vided to assist their studies. Hart took up this matter and 
made especial allusion to the needs of the schools in his open- 
ing- address. He told the assembly that the province was now 
in a happy condition and the means were in their hands. 
Therefore, it was their duty to advance the honor and interest 
of their country for the particular good of their children, 
who, were they sensible of the ii-retrievable loss they would 
sustain in the want of a liberal education in their youth, 
would join their tears to his entreaties. The assembly 
thank him for his zeal for the advancement of learning and 
apologize for the neglect thereof in Marjdand; but attempt 
to excuse it from the discouragement they have experienced 
in having monevs raised in the province applied to the main- 
tenance of an institution (William and Mary College) outside 
of it, '' b}^ which never any one inhabitant of this have reaped 
the least advantage."^ 

This tax they are persuaded arose from the Virginians' 
misrepresentations, and they ask Hart to help them in trying 
to have its proceeds transferred to Maryland schools. In the 
meantime they promise to do all they can, which will not be 
too burdensome to the public, to support the present school, 
and ask for suggestions as to how this may be done. 

In the afi'^ress to Baltimore the assembl}^ again refers to 
educatif lal matters, complain of the ''great want of good 
literature within this province, whereby many good geniuses 
are of little use that might otherwise be ornaments to the 
country and serviceable to your lordship's interest." They 
ask Baltimore to help them to have the proceeds of the tax 
transferred to Mar3dand schools, instead of being applied 
"'to a free school in Virginia, which by its remoteness from 
this province" is "wholly useless to any of its inhabitants." 

' June 7, 1717, U. H. J., a further petition is that in intestate estates wlien creditors seize 
tliem the remainder may be turned over to the free schools. 
-U.K. J., May 31,1717. 



280 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION". 

Two years later,' Hart again called to the attention of the 
assembly that their abilities are not equal to their desires, and 
suggests that they petition the King for the tobacco duty 
which goes to William and Mary. The upper house ^ com- 
plain bitterly of the failure of Maryland to receive any benefit 
from that institution. The delegates join in this complaint 
and add that most of the duty comes from Maryland tobacco.^ 
They agree to address the King thereupon, but apparently 
changed their minds and addressed the proprietary instead.* 
They tell him of their "narrow circumstances," and that 
"abundance of youth now growing up are unhappily desti- 
tute of those common improvements which nature hath made 
them very capable of, for the rendering them better Christ- 
ians, better subjects to His Majesty, and better qualified per- 
sons for the just discharge of the several trusts to which your 
lordship * * * may have occasion to appoint them, as 
well in the ofiices of State as in the distribution of justice 
and all other the exigencies of life. " They admit with truly 
aristocratic scorn that the "condition of most of the people 
here has little claim to a trul}^ generous and liberal educa- 
tion," but feel that there are enough children deserving such 
education to demand for Maryland a share in the royal bounty. 
Those who "can pay the charge there choose rather to educate 
their children in Great Britain, and the middling sort of people, 
who only stand in need for their children of such pious and 
charitable foundation, reap no benefit" from the "magnificent 
college" in Virginia.* This petition met with no very favor- 
able response, and, as the people were as yet unwilling to 
raise anything by an additional tax, nothing was done until 
the administration of Hart's successor. 

The question of ordinar}^ licenses'' engaged much of the 
attention of this session of the assembly. Lord Baltimore 
sent instructions to Hart claiming the right to these and ask- 
ing that a bill be passed making these fines certain, "so that 
the consent of the people and not our prerogative " may settle 
them. The lower house responded that previous assemblies 
have said ordinary licenses do not belong to the secretary's 
ofiice. Since Baltimore seemed to claim them by his preroga- 
tive " we are unwilling to intermeddle therewith," though they 

I U. H. J.. May 14, 1719. 4 u. H J., June 4, 1719. 

m. H. J., May 15, 1719. 6 Vide U. H. J., April 21, 1720. 

3U. H. J., May 19, 1719. « Act of 1717, ch. 1. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 281 

asked Baltimore to give the proceeds to free schools.' The 
upper house, taking the proprietary's side as usual, said Bal- 
timore has already given these fines to the secretaries,'^ and it 
would be inconsistent with Baltimore's honor that the assem- 
bly should enter upon a matter which he had settled. Further, 
the secretaries have been active in the happy settlement of 
the present establishment. Baltimore's command in the mat- 
ter must be regarded as absolute. The lower house drew up 
a bill in the matter, to which Hart refused to consent,'' as it 
gave the licenses to Baltimore as a compliment and not as a 
right. A verbal change was made and the act was finally 
passed. In the address to Baltimore reference is made to the 
matter and to the previous refusal of assemblies to admit that 
these licenses could be levied without consent of the people. 
Therefore, this assembly would think itself "justly liable to 
the censures of those we represent if we should now give up 
to your lordship, as a matter of right, what our predecessors 
have so much contended for and even refused to give up to 
the Crown." Baltimore thought it wise not to strain the point 
and accepted the act, though the acknowledgment of his right 
was not expressed.* 

Baltimore gained another point at this session. On June 3 
the lower house resolved to bring in a gauge bill, as proposed 
by Baltimore, and this resolve was carried out."* A third 
request of Baltimore, that the recent act for the security of 
the peace be reenacted so as to disclaim any reference to pri- 
vate afl'airs, was rejected as needless by the lower house. 

The Irish servant bill was reenacted, however, at Baltimore's 
suggestion, with such amendment as to impose no restriction 
on the immigration of Protestants. The duty was lowered 
and the proceeds given to the schools." 

Another act made the negro code of the province more 
stringent. It seems to have been customary for each session 
of the assembly to take up and act upon the report of the 
committee of aggrievances made on the last day of the pre- 
vious session. The report of 1716 complained that negroes 

1 L. H. J., June 3, 1717. 
- Thomas Beake and Charles Lowe. 
3U. H. J., June 6, 1717. 

••L. H. J., June 7, 1717. Baltimore aske<l that it be made permanent. (L. H. J. April 
2-1,1718.) 
s Act of 1717, fh. 7. 
" L. H. J., June G, 1717; U. H. J., June 1; aet of 1717, ch. 10; act of 1717, cli. 1:5. 



282 AMERIOAIS^ HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

were permitted to giv-e evidence in court. This privilege is 
now only to be exercised in trials of other negroes or Indians. 
A second grievance was that no penalty was laid on a negro 
marrying a white person, while the latter is punished. This, 
too, is now remedied, and it is also provided that slaves may be 
tried before a single magistrate for misdemeanors for which 
white men were brought before the county court. To prevent 
the owner from loss when slaves were condemned to death for 
crime, it is now enacted that the court should value the slave 
and the pul)lic pay three-fourths of such value to the owner. 

The remaining grievance of 1716, that there was not suffi- 
cient stringency in the marriage law, was also remedied,^ and 
due provision made for marriage according to the forms of 
the Church of England in the parish where the woman is 
resident. 

A supplementary fee bill, passed this session, fixed the 
naval officers' fees and provided that officers must henceforth 
write out their accounts of fees in full.^ 

Baltimore sent word that he wished an act passed punishing 
the counterfeiting of the great seal. No such law had been 
passed since the obsolete one of 1649, and this neglect was 
now remedied.* For the future such a criminal must forfeit 
all his property, receive 39 lashes, stand two hours in the 
pillory, and be banished forever.* The last important act of 
the session was caused by a complaint from the Indians of 
Copangus Town, in Somerset County, that the English dis- 
turb them by fishing, fowling, hunting, and setting traps for 
raccoons and the other vermin.^ A proclamation forbidding 
this is issued to the sherifl's to be read at the court-house and 
church doors. Formerly all such difl'erences between Indians 
and whites had to be brought before the governor and council. 
This is manifestly inconvenient, and for the future any justice 
of the peace may hear such causes where the value does not 
exceed 20 shillings " sterling. 

In the 3'ear 1717 the two commissaries held their first visit- 

1 Act of 1717, ch. 15. Act not to refer to marriages of persons of other faiths. The clergy 
complained of this law, claiming it was passed through dislike to the clergy. Hawks, 
p. 152. 

2 Act of 1717, ch. 2. The act for ascertaining the bounds of land also receives a sup- 
plement. 

^Actof 1717, ch, 9. 

< Lower hou.se wi.shed to have both his cars cut off. 

m. H. J., Junes, 1717. 

« Act of 1717, ch. 1-1. 



RESTORATION OF PR0PRT?:TARY OF MARYLAND. 283 

ations/ Wilkinson, tho prudent and judicious Eastei'n Shore 
man, brought together seven elergynien, delivered a sensible 
eharge, and reported that the meeting was successful. The 
Eastern Shore clergy addressed the Bishop of London a long 
letter, thanking him for Mr. Wilkinson's appointment and 
complaining that a threatened division of parishes would 
deprive the clergy of support and drive them from the prov- 
ince. Hawks thinks there was more or less of a phm to starve 
out the clergy, and though this is improbable it must ])e con- 
fessed that many of the clergy did all in their po-.;er to make 
themselves obnoxious to the people of Maryland. In this let- 
ter, referred to above, they regret that the jurisdiction of the 
bishop through the commissaries is impatiently regarded l)y 
the gentr}^, and ask that the governor be instructed to allow 
no law to pass, relative to cclesiastical matters, without causing 
the commissaries or some of the clergy to attend and granting 
them a hearing. The conclusion of the letter shows how 
great was the unpopularity of the clergy: '* It is a sad truth 
that we must declare that we have not one friend in the prov- 
ince, except our governor, to make our application to; nor 
any access to, nor place, nor emplo}^ in the government, nor 
friend in the world that we know of, but your lordship, to 
stand by us." 

Rev. Mr. Henderson, an abler and much more pugnacious 
man than Mr. Wilkinson, had a far less peaceful time in his 
visitation.'^ He gathered twelve clergymen and church ward- 
ens from thirteen parishes at Annapolis, and propounded to 
the latter, under oath, a series of queries as to the condition 
of their parishes. The clergy were then called on to produce 
their letters of orders and licenses from the Bishop of Lon- 
don. At this point even Dr. Hawks admits that Henderson 
'■ indiscreetly asserted his official importance." On the pro- 
duction of his letters by Rev. Henry Hall, of St. James, Her- 
ring Run Parish, Mr. Henderson put them in his bag to 
examine them at his leisure.^ Mr. Hall, who held such a 
station among the clergy that he had been the first person 
proposed for the place Henderson held, immediately resented 
this and demanded their return. Henderson unwisely refused 
to do this, and Hall caused a warrant to be issued for their 

1 Hawks' Eceles. Omtribs., 11,152. 

- Havvks.pp. ITil IT. 

•Tiainbriili's Chuicli Life in Cohmiiil Mary land, p. 85. 



284 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

recovery. The matter was at once carried b}^ the commissary 
before the Bishop of London, whom Henderson thought was 
insulted in his person. The bishop sustained Hall, but ill- 
feeling had been engendered which did not soon subside. 
The governor bore testimony to the bishop of Hall's great 
worth, and most of the clergy sided with him. 

Hart had formerly been a warm friend of Henderson ^ and, 
as he still continued friendly with Wilkinson, a coldness and 
suspicion grew up between them. Henderson's course 
strengthened the already existing predjudice against the exer- 
cise of the commissaries' powers. It is not surprising to find 
that Henderson now thought because Hart will not support 
him, he is not sincere in his advocacv of Protestantism and of 
the lord proprietar}^ but Dr. Hawks, in accepting Hender- 
son's view of Hart's character, attributes an almost impossible 
Machiavelianism to the governor. 

During 1717 another difficulty arises in Hart's path.^ Mac- 
Namara, the testy attorney, was continually becoming more 
insolent. He called the council "the Spanish inquisition." 
He illegally got out a writ of replevin on a sloop and lading- 
seized b)^ the collector of the Potomac district. When Hart, 
obeying his instructions to help the collectors, granted a 
supersedeas, MacNamara in the most insolent manner endeav- 
ored to obstruct him, saying he wished he could see the man 
that dared grant such a writ. Further, he deceitfully took 
certain attorneys' fees from another naval officer. 

Finally in the chancery court, on October 10, 1717, w^hile 
Hart was presiding as chancellor, MacNamara said to the gov- 
ernor, ""You have called me rogue and rascal." Hart denied 
this, but MacNamara insisted, "You did, to the best of my 
remembrance." The obstreperous attorney frequently had 
acted improperly to the court, with threatening words and 
indecent and irreverent behavior, and frequentl}", but to no 
purpose, had he been admonished. Hart will endure no more. 
"This is contempt, and lessens his lordship's authority and 
the grandeur of this court by taxing the governor with fal- 
sity. As keeper of the great seal, I suspend you from prac- 
tice, save for pending cases of Crown revenue, till due sub- 

1 Hawks, p. 159. 

2 Hart's speech to upper house, April 25, 1718. Indictments were brought against him 
by the grand jury for some of these things. (U.H. J.,May 6,1718.) 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 285 

mission is made by .you.'' ""I appeal to the Kino- in council,"" 
retorts MacNamara. "The appeal is granted, Init should 
be made to the lord proprietary," ansNvers the goyernor. 
"Then I appeal to him, and ask that the particular facts or 
instances of misbehayior alleged against me be set out." On 
June 22 and July 12 MacNamara had already written to Bal- 
timore and Guilford, complaining he had been impeded in his 
practice by Hart. In answer the}' write to Hart not to continue 
this. There had been all sorts of trouble when Charles Car- 
roll was being examined b}' Hart on ])ehalf of the conunis- 
sioners for forfeited estates. MacNamara, '"' officiously and 
without call," interrupted and told Carroll not to answer. At 
other times MacNamara had used "ill language to another 
practitioner in the face of the court" "and indecent and con- 
tumacious tones and gestures" to the court itself. When 
Hart taxed him with this and rel)uked him MacNamara an- 
swered "I deny it," thus charging the goyernor with utter- 
ing falsities.^ At some time or other, in the chancery court, 
MacNamara publicly told Hart "I had tried to haye you re- 
moyed from your position." As the winter came on matters 
did not improye. On February 24, 1717-lS, in chancery 
court, in presence of two witnesses, MacNamara said to Hart, 
"I am sorry that eyer I said anything which might oii'end the 
goyernor, but I will not beg the commissioners' pardon." 
Yet this speech he now denies, and thus again indirectl}' giyes 
Hart the lie. When Hart suspended him from practice Mac- 
Namara said, " You are ])oth judge and party in the case," and 
circulated the false report that Hart had lumiercifully beaten 
him. 

When the assembly met on April 22, 1718, Hart^ giyps the 
upper house a full account of his difficulties with MacNamara, 
and refers to them in his address to ])oth houses. He asked 
them whether MacNamara's insolence should be exempt from 
punishment, seeing he has giyen this Goyernment disturbance 
for almost as many years as he has been in it. MacNamai'a 
heard of this and at once went to the clerk of the lower house 
and demanded a copy of Hart's speech. When the clerk did 
not comply MacNamara threatened to extort it, and spoke dis- 

iL.H. J., May 7,1718. 

"In the fall of 1717 Hart issued i)r()elamation forbidding illicit trade, but writes to 
England that he knows of no £uch trade in Maryland. 



286 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. 

respectfully of the house. For this he was at once summoned 
and stated he remembers using no such expressions, and is 
,sorry if he has done so, attributing it to the effect of the wine 
he had been drinking.' He was excused, but the lower house 
showed its position in the matter clearly on April 28 in their 
answer to Hart's address. They speak of MacNamara's ' ' plot- 
ting, uneasy, and revengeful temper," of his ''proud and 
turbulent behavior," and thoroughly approve of Harfs suspen- 
sion of him from practice, as necessary to preserve proper 
decorum. This is strong language, especially when we re- 
member MacNamara was formerly clerk of the house. They 
thank Hart for his promise to support all magistrates, and 
promise to do all they can to support him. 

Apparently, in two letters,' Baltimore and Guilford had 
expressed approval of Hart's action in the matter, and these 
letters meet with the warmest commendation on the part of 
the assembly.^ The lower house thinks this conduct of the 
proprietary will discourage such as for the future shall fly in 
the face of Government, and that MacNamara's troubles came 
"purely through his own haught}^ ambitious temper and ill 
conduct." 

Further complaints against the turbulent MacNamara pour 
in. Bladen,* the attorney-general, says he overcharged fees 
as naval officer of the Patitxent.^ The justices of the provin- 
cial court'" lay complaint that he is a person of "turbulent, 
refractory, haughty, and abusive temper," who had been 
already once suspended from practice. The whole course of 
his life is so turbulent and disorderly that he hath very rarely 
been clear of some criminal prosecution in the provincial court 
for many years, though his artful, audacious management of 
the subtle and tricking part of the law hath often freed him. 
"We will no longer hold our places," they say, "if so turbu- 
lent and insolent a person be allowed to practice. 

Baltimore, in a letter to MacNamara, seemingly advised him 
to submit to Hart, and added, "we are willing the people of 
our province should reap the benefit of that capacity and 

1 L.H.J .April 24,1718. 

- Dated November 10, 1717, and February 4, 17^|. 
■ni H.J. .April 28, May 10, 1718; L. H.J. , April 29, 30. 
■•Captain Pulsifer also charges this (U. H.J. , May 7, 1718). 
■'■L. H. J., May 2, 1718 

William Holland, Samuel Young, Thomas Addison, Richard Tilghman (U. H. J.,May5, 
1718). 



RESTORATION OF PROrRIKTARY OF MARYLAND. 287 

al)ilities your (Mieinies tiUovv 3'ou have to serve your clients." 
But he would not bend. The upper house sent for him on 
May 5, l)ut received no su])niission from him.^ Something 
nuist be done. The upper house suj^'o'ests the passage of a 
hill preventing him from the practice of law. The delegates 
at once accept the suggestion and the bill is passed. With it 
are incorporated certain provisions for better supporting the 
magistrates in the administration of justice.*^ 

The clergy call for more attention of the assembly at this 
session than at any other in Hart's administration. At the 
same time that the legislature met, the clergy were convened 
in Annapolis at Hart's summons, that the good government of 
the church may promote and propagate true religion and vir- 
tue.^ When they were met in the library. Hart addressed 
them, twenty in number, and called attention to the fact that 
the commissaries had found difficulty in executing their com- 
missions, through the constitution of the province and the 
natural situation of the country, tilled with great rivers and 
creeks. He asks them to do what is lifting and to present any 
grievances to the asseuibh". The ''Jesuits and other popish 
emissaries are prevailing by their insinuating arts upon the 
weak and ignorant," and are "vigilant in gaining proselytes 
and seducing the unwary." He advises the commissaries to 
"use methods of mildness and gentleness and the clergy to 
show by their unity and brotherl}' love they are the disciples 
of the prince of peace and concord." 

The clergy return a grateful answer,^ regretfully acknowl- 
edging that "popery" is increasing. They speak of their 
"deep sense" of Hart's goodness and favor to them and his 
zealous inclination for the propagation of our most holy relig- 
ion "and of their deep feeling of gratitude" to him. Hart 
replies, saying, more detinitely than before,'^ that the clergy 
should speak plainly concerning the necessity of some legisla- 
tive sanction to the exercise of the bishop's jurisdiction in 
Maryland. In this action Dr. Hawks thinks Hart was hypo- 
critical and tried to fortify himself in popular favor by cast- 
ing odium on the clergy. He adduces no proof of this, 
however, and there was no possible reason for such a line of 

' U. H. J., May 7, 1718. s Hart's message to lower house, April 29, 1718. 

2Actof 1718,ch. 16. < Hawks 11, p. 161. 

^ So Hawks says. I have not seen the reply. 



288 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

conduct. Hawks has undou})tedly attached too much import- 
ance to the disappointed vaporings of Henderson. The latter 
is said to have opposed having the convocation take any action, 
fearing- a faihire. Gambrall, however, well says that Hender- 
son was one cause of the failure,' for the people did not wish 
to place ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the hands of a man whose 
actions had been such as those of Henderson toward Hall. 
It is noticeable that the clergy insisted that Henderson must 
withdraw all charges against Hall, and that several of them con- 
tributed to the failure of the attempt to establish ecclesiastical 
jurisdiction ])y telling the delegates that "the act was tyran- 
nical and would be the means of driving people from the church 
to the Roman Catholics and the Quakers." 

The chn-gy sul^mitted^ to the assembly the following re- 
quests: (1) That the jurisdiction and authority of the bishop 
of London be recognized by the assembly; (2) that the prov- 
ince pay the salary of a writer to record the commissary's 
proceedings; (3) that the sheriffs may serve citations for the 
clergy; (4) that church wardens who attend the commissary's 
visitations, with difficulty crossing creeks and rivers, be 
allowed their traveling expenses from the parochial charges, 
and (5) that the commissaries and other clergy may be allowed 
to cross ferries free at all times. Hart sent this paper to the 
assembly. The upper house seems to have been willing to 
accept the propositions. The lower house,^ however, felt that 
the ecclesiastical jurisdiction might overlap the law courts and 
be grevious to the people, that consideration of the matter 
would take time, and that at present it was impracticable to put 
ecclesiastical laws in force.* It was the only attempt to carry 
the idea of a state church to its logical conclusion, and it 
fortunately failed at the ver}' outset. 

The religious question was a most important one. Hart 
had hoped'' to have the rest of his administration peaceful, 
that he might wholh' work for the welfare of the province, 
but found that '"'"the restless and turbulent spirit of the Papist 

1 Church Life in Colonial Maryland, p. 86. 

-U. H. J., Ai>ril 30, 1718. The bishop had written to the commissaries, leaving- such 
application to their discretion. Wilkinson read his letter, against Hendersons advice, 
who .said the opponent would claim the bishop was indifferent to the plan. (Hawks 11, 
163.) 

3 Hawks II, UVl, .says one-third lower house were di.ssenters. 

4L. H. ,1., May 3, 1718. 

5 Hart's speech, April 22, 1718, to assembly. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 289 

party still pcrscciitod and dofainod him," because he opposed 
their claim of an equal share in the administration of govern- 
ment and required them to qualify before they could execute 
office. MacNamara joined with Carroll in complaining to the 
proprietary against Hart, and they tried to make people believe 
there was no law nor justice under Hart's government. So 
Hart tells the assembh^ Carroll,^ "that prof est Papist and 
first fomenter of the late disturbances, having acquired vast 
estates by the offices he formerly employed and his practice of 
law," was " not contented to enjoy this affluence of fortune with 
more indulgence than he could expect anywhere else," but must 
"add ambition of rule to his former felicity." It is obvious 
to all, "save those willfully blind, what steps the Romanists 
take to introduce themselves into the province. " ' ' Indefatiga- 
ble in their designs," instead of sitting down after their first 
repulse, "contented and easy under the protection of the 
government," they calumniate Hart in their disappointed 
rage. The emissaries sent by them to London were very active 
against Hart and exclaimed in ])itter terms of the persecutions 
of the Roman (.atholics in Marjdand and "how cruel manner 
they were treated in, and even debarred the liberty of a free 
commerce." They unfairly got the opinions of three eminent 
lawyers against the act for suspending the persecution of 
Papist priests, but Hart told Baltimore the truth. An answer 
from Baltimore^ sustaining Hart has been received: We "are 
so far from imagining that any countenance should be given 
them in that pernicious practice of perverting people to the 
Romish superstition that we very well approve of the laws 
made to prevent it." "In the name of God, gentlemen of 
the assembly," cries out Hart, "inquire into these things and 
make an impartial representation of the truth." 

The addresses of the two houses^ in answer to this are filled 
with expressions of devotion to Hart. The council speaks of 
his " prudent conduct in the late conjunction of afi^airs, whereby 
the dark intrigues and secret machinations of popish faction 
are in a great measure defeated," and states that they feel 

1 Carroll had refused tx) issue patents for land, but when paid one-half the fees of the 
seals and with the test " our trusty and well-beloved Charles Carroll, esquire, his lord- 
ship's chief agent of our land offices." Hart said this was derogatory to the office of 
keeper of the great seal, and refused to permit it. The lower hou.se supported Hart and 
.said the people entitled may .sue Carroll for their patents. (L. H. J., May 5, 1718). 
- Baltimore's letter of November IG, 1717. 3 u. H. J., April 2G, 1718. 

HIST 99, VOL I 19 



290 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

secure against the "further attempts of that restless and 
ambitious party." They warn them that they will lose their 
present quiet, "if they continue."" Hart's enemies are only 
the friends of a popish establishment, inflamed by disappoint- 
ment and centering their malice on Hart, They spread 
rumors that Baltimore was favorable to them. With rather 
remarkable boldness, the council express the hope that the 
proprietary will look upon that body as best qualified to give 
advice and tell of the true state of the province and will not 
lean on representations from other quarters. They signifi- 
cantly add: The " restless spirits of a popish enterprising fac- 
tion " might endanger the proprietary's position if they were 
allowed a voice. 

The lower house ^ praises Hart's "steady and prudent con- 
duct of affairs" and his "unbiased methods" of administra- 
tion. They feel that the Roman Catholics have no right to 
further indulgence, and that it might be well to repeal the 
Maryland laws against Popery, that the sterner English ones 
might come into force. " Papists under a Protestant govern- 
ment," say the delegates, "if listened to, will not be without 
complaint, more than fire without warmth or water without 
moisture." In all Hart's administration the strictest obserA^a- 
tion can find only justice and " universal satisfaction to all 
His Majesty's faithful Protestant subjects." 

An address of both houses to Hart is adopted and an appro- 
priation of £200 made to recompense him for the expense he 
has been put to in resisting the attacks of the Romanists.^ 
The milder Maryland statutes are repealed ^ and the Roman 
Catholics come under the harsher English law. Another act,* 
the first of the session, b}^ which the electoral franchise is 
taken from all Roman Catholics, is hurriedly passed, that a 
special election for delegates at Annapolis may be held under 
it. In approving it, Hart says: 

I take it to be highly unreasonable the PajDists and their adherents, who, 
whenever it is in their power, show such a notable disaffection to our 
laws, should be permitted to vote for the election of members of the lower 
house. 

These oppressive laws were in force throughout the whole 

'L.H. J., April 28, 1718. ^L. H.J. , May 9,10. 3 Act of 1718, ch. 4. 

4 Act of 1718, ch.l; L. H.J.,April 129, 30, 1718. It was urged that without this law the 
Roman Catholics might occasion great disturbance by electing themselves or their adher- 
ents as delegates. (L. H. J., April 26,1718.) 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 291 

provincial period of Maryland's history. Tbicir intolerance 
has often been condemned, ^ Their passat^e has been explained 
by no prcndouM historijin. Thoug-h we must admit there was 
nnu'h to extenuate the conduct of the assembly in passinj^ 
these laws, which simply made the condition of Roman Cath- 
olics in Maryland similar to that of those in lCn(,dand, we 
agree with McMahon that " the Catholics were taxed to sup- 
port a religion and government to which they were emphat- 
ically strangers."^ 

Just before adjournment the assembly ^ adopted an address 
to the proprietary. They thank him for his kindness and 
express gladness that he is so good a Protestant, though the 
"assiduous endeavors of a restless faction " tried to prove the 
contrary. They tell him that the Roman Catholics are mem- 
bers of that party " which kicks against government," and 
explain why the new measures against them were adopted. 
" The penalties of the English law are greater than we wish 
to use, if these gentlemen will demean themselves quietly 
and peaceably;" and this was true, for the Roman Catholics 
rarely, if ever, incurred the full rigor of the law, though it 
remained on the statute book. 

At this session comes into notice a third opponent of Hart, 
Maurice Birchfield, collector of the customs. The committee 
on grievances complain that he summoned to the chancery 
court, without demand or notice, in " immethodical manner," 
many who had small dealings with London merchants and some 
who had never dealt with them.* This he did from the avari- 
cious and litigious temper of MacNamara, his attorney, 
" desiring to increase the fees." The assembly complained of 
it in the address to Baltimore.'' 

As usual, we find the report of the last session's grievance 
committee acted on at this time. There were three points in 
this report. The first was that executors and administrators 
were not obliged to deliver the estate to the heirs till accounts 
are fully stated." This might not be done in seven years. 
The committee suggested that the heirs should receive a pro- 
portionate part of what appears to be due, on the rendering 

iE.g.,by Scharf, 1,370,383. 3L.H. J., May 10,1718. 

2 History of Maryland, 281. ■'L. H..I.,May 5,10,1718. 

60n Hart's advice. (U. H. .f., May 9, ITls.) Baltimore says he'll lay case before the 
commissioners of the customs. (U. H. .1., May 1 1, 1718.) 
6 L.H. J., June 7, 1717. 



292 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

of the first account, and (if full age) give security to refund a 
proportionate part of any claims proven against the estate/ 
This recommendation was favorably received at the next ses- 
sion, and a law passed authorizing heirs and legatees, twelve 
months after the death of the one from whom they inherit, to 
demand their shares of the estate from the executors or 
administrators." 

The third grievance ^ was that public business in the several 
courts was delayed often for six or seven years, thus dis- 
couraging suitors and often forcing them to agree their causes 
to their great disadvantage. The committee suggest the pas- 
sage of an act obliging county courts to determine cases in six 
months' time, the provincial court in twelve months, and the 
court of chancery and the governor and council in eighteen 
months.* The suggestion was accepted, though the periods 
of time were changed, and an act was passed to "limit the 
continuance of actions," and to ascertain "the manner of tak- 
ing the evidence of seafaring men," and to grant "appeals 
from the chancer}^ court to the governor and council.""^ 

The revenue question, of course, came up, this time with 
reference to the 8 per cent deduction from the 18d. per hogs- 
head. Baltimore, in his letter of November 16, 1717, said 
that he expects the restoration of this. The lower house" 
answers that the money was raised conditionalh^ for Balti- 
more's use and not for defraying the public charge, and when 
he accepted it the assembly wholly resigned their interest 
therein. But if Baltimore had refused, the money would have 
been applied to the use of the public. Naval officers then 
would have had the right by law to deduct their salary of 

1 Also that no injunction against orphans remain undetermined over two courts. 

2 Act of 171S, ch. 5. 

3 The only new grievances noted at this session are that, on rehearing a case in chancery, 
the same judges are present as passed the decree, and that feigned recoveries of lands 
are practiced. (L. H.J.,May 6,8,1718.) 

* L. H. J., April 29, 1718, May 5, 7 ; act of 1718, ch. 10. 

6 There were nineteen acts pas.sed this session. Eleven of these were strictly private, 
and another (ch.3) permitted John Steele to hold office, though he had not been three 
years in the province. (U. H. J., May 6, 1718.) The bounds of land act was amended and 
reenacted. (Ch. 18.) It may be added that the assembly was generally careful not to pass 
a private act unless the parties had notice (L. H. J., May 1, 1718) , and that they rarely, if 
ever, interposed if there was a common-law remedy. (Vide U. H. J., May 3,1718.) April 2, 
(L. H..J.), Monason, King of Asotage, and his Indians petition for something (L. H. J., 
May 1), but apparently without result. One private act, that for the relief of certain 
languishing prisoners, debtors, raised .some discussion as to whether the sheriff or gaolers 
•should have any fees for them. (L. H.J. , May 7,8, 1718.) The treasurer was ordered to 
procure £20 worth of paper, parchment, and ink po^vder for public use. 

sVideL.H.J., June8, 1717. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 293 

8 per cent against the public. Baltimore took it under the 
like incumbrance. The dispute, if any, is not between Balti- 
more and the assembly, but between Baltimore and the offi- 
cers. This was an adroit shifting of ground.' The upper 
house, however, suggests that it would be well to give the 
8 per cent to Baltimore, to make him look favorably upon the 
assembly proceedings, and this is done by majoritj'^ vote of 
the delegates. They give up none of their claim to the right, 
but grant the money as a favor to Baltimore, for his goodness 
in admitting good laws. 

Harfs health did not improve, and in the winter of 1718-19 
he petitioned Baltimore that he might be absent twelve 
months for his health.^ Leave was granted by the Crown ^ 
and b)^ Baltimore, but Hart did not take advantage of it. 
Probably the troubles with MacNamara caused him to remain. 
This troublesome man appealed to England, and on his rep- 
resentation of the matter Lord Baltimore vetoed the act dis- 
barring him as an ex post facto one.* He told Baltimore 
that the assembly which made the law ^ did not summon him 
before it, but acted with such secrec}^ that he only heard of it 
bj^ accident, and that his petition to have opportunity of 
justifying and defending himself was denied. On this partial 
and false statement Baltimore took the advice of three of the 
most distinguished lawyers of the day.*^ They all advise him 
to veto the law, one of their opinions going so far as to say 
he " never heard that the legislature of any civilized country 
ever passed an act so arbitrar}^ and unjust as this seems to 
be." Without trying to get a statement of facts from the 
legislature, Baltimore vetoes the bill. He does, indeed, sug- 
gest that he would approve a general act for better supporting 
the magistrates. 

Upon receiving this news Hart at once calls the assembl}'^ 
together, although at an inconvenient time of the 3^ear.^ In 
the beginning his speech at the opening of the assembly on 
May 1^, Hart refers to the veto, and tells the legislators that 
if MacNamara, or an}' other, be suffered to insult the courts 

1 U. H. J., May 10, 1719. » On March 19. 1718-19. 

2 Vide L.H.J., April 15. 1720. <U.H.J., May 14, 1719 

"■> Hart says MacXamani dirt not appeal m the upper house nor to him before the passage 
oftlieaft.' (U.H..I., May 1-1,1719.) 

f'U. H.J.,May 15, 1719, .John Unngerford, Tlionias Pengelly, Edward Northey. Northey 
said if MacNamara wa.s guilty he should make suhmission to the courts. 

i Robert Uugle was chosen speaker by a majority vote, and Michael .Jenifer clerk of the 
delegates. This was a new a.s.sembly. 



294 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

with impunity, as he has so often done, it will destroy the 
very essence of all authorit}^ and power, principally instituted 
to pull down and punish the haughty and bad and support 
and cherish the humble and good. He advises the legislature 
to repass the law so amended as to meet Baltimore's objec- 
tions. 

The second point in his speech refers to the other great 
quarrel, that with the Roman Catholics. Baltimore and 
Guilford have written that they are displeased at the indis- 
creet and malicious proceedings of this party against Hart, 
who feels bound by public utterance to disabuse all of the 
notorious untruth that he has persecuted them. All he has 
done has been to endeavor to prevent "their employing of 
offices or having any influence, either publicly or privately, 
on the administration of this government. " ^ This has been 
his indispensable duty as governor, and he challenges any to 
show when he has gone beyond this and persecuted any for 
conscience sake. Roman Catholics have never yet been dis- 
turbed under the protection of this Protestant government, 
but must not intermeddle with the ministerial part of the 
government nor proselyte Protestants. They have nothing 
better to hope from Lord Baltimore when he comes of age.^ 

Turning to measures of more local character, Hart recom- 
mends that the return of juries be better provided for by law, 
since the lives and fortunes of the people depend on the integ- 
rity of juries. In England no commoner is too good to be a 
juryman; so should it be in Maryland. 

Hart urges upon the assembly the importance of good 
roads. The thing speaks for itself, but there is not a suffi- 
cient penalty allowed by law to be inflicted by road overseers 
on those who disobey them, and only the meanest of the 
people are appointed overseers. No man should be too good 
to serve his country. Especially provision should be made 
for the great road through the heart of the province, which 
is the usual and shortest passage for travelers to and from 
the other colonies.^ 

1 He says not all the Roman Catholics have been against him. 

2 The upper house (May 18) says the Romanists have built on the nearness in blood of 
Baltimore to some gentlemen of Romish communion. 

s A bridge over the Patuxent at Queen Anne Town and a road over the Kent Marshes 
are recommended. 

Five years earlier, October 5, 1714, Hart threw an interesting side light on means of 
transportation in Maryland, in suggesting tliat a ])r()vision for certain convenient places 



EESTOEATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 295 

The act offering a ])ounty on squirrels should l)e repealed, 
as the war made on these little animals cost the country in one 
year £7,000 sterling/ The last suggestion in the speech is 
one concerning the returns of taxables. All Avho receive pro- 
tection of the laws should bear an equal proportion of the 
charge, and it does not seem to Hart that the increase in the 
number of taxables corresponds with the happy increase of 
3'outh and the vast importation of Europeans and negroes. 
His final sentence is one of the most remarkable to be found 
in the annals of colonial governments: 

As you are, I thank God, a free people, so may you accept or reject what 
I now deliver to you, as you shall find it for the conveniency or inconve- 
niency of your country.^ 

Eighteen acts were passed at this session. Of these seven 
were private. The act against MacNamara was passed a second 
time.^ In the answer to Harfs speech the upper house say 
that they think MacNamara purposely made no application to 
them that he might appeal to England. This address, as all 
from that body to Hart, is extremely grateful and cordial in 
tone. The lower house is fully as loyal to Hart, and expresses 
much more indignation at the opinions of the law3^ers, stating 
that these opinions are worthless, because their authors did 
not know the facts. MacNamara had not been heard in person 
before the lower house of assembly because, though they 
believed he had knowledge of their first vote, he made no 
application to them until the bill had passed beyond their 
hands into those of the upper house.* Furthermore, the 
court in which MacNamara pleaded had condemned him. To 
admit him to a hearing would be to question the veracity of 

of landing would lower freight charges and give ready dispatch to shipping tobacco in 
good condition for an early market, which is the life of the province's commerce. Also, 
sailors would no more have to "rowl" the hogsheads for many miles, which is not 
" only destructive to navigation, but is a slavish labor unworthy the native liberties of 
Englishmen." Tlic masters of ships made an unsuccessful petition to the same effect at 
this session. (L. H. J., May 21, 1719.) 

' May 25, lower house refused to repeal or amend it. 

" L. H. J., June 4, 1719, Evan Jones was given leave to print the laws made this session 
with the governor's speech, answers, and the several addresses, vide July 30, 1715, when 
he petitioned to write the laws. 

3 Act of 1719, ch. 17. .The lower house committee of laws say that the act is not a bill 
of indictment, and therefore not void for uncertainty, and that the legislature is not 
tied to common rules of justice. Courts in which MacNamara practiced condemned him, 
and out of diffidence in their own power asked the legislature to aid them. 

<He never petitioned the upper house. This, i<ay the delegates' committee of laws, 
argues "sense of guilt or resolute obstinacy." 



296 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. 

that court without cause, and would make the justices parties 
or defendants in a matter whereof the law made them judges 
and where the facts are notorious.^ The very essence of au- 
thority and government are nearly concerned here. If there 
is yielding now, an}" lawyer may summon the whole country, 
as suitors, to Great Britain, where they can not with conveni- 
ency appear to prove their allegations. The constitution is 
not worth supporting, if neither court nor countr}^ are capable 
of judging the demeanor of one attorney. MacNamara may 
be a barrister, but in Maryland he has only appeared as an 
attorney and should be punished, as any inferior court has 
power to act toward an attorney misbehaving before it. 
The lower house ^ committee on laws go on to say: 

If the legislature can not redress the country's grievances and remove 
nuisances, and they found him both, if this man must be supported in his 
practices, in spight of courts and country, * * * especially as there is 
no encouragement by fees or pensions for judges, and the positions are a 
great burthen, every one qualified will try to avoid them, rather than 
tamely submit to lies and affronts, or drag themselves into tedious and 
chargeable contests, then we are not so happy in our constitution as we 
had hoped for, for what impartiality can there be in judges, where, if they 
oblige not resenting counsel, they are abused or affronted or become 
objects of his revenge? 

In the address to Baltimore, adopted at this session, the 
assembly refers to the trouble with MacNamara, and states 
that to pass the disbarring act was the only way of effect- 
ually discouraging this generall}^ troublesome person. The 
act for better supporting magistrates in the administration of 
justice is passed separately, so that if Baltimore reject the 
one the other may be saved. Reference is made to the fre 
quent insults given to magistrates, and authorization is given 
them to fine officers.^ 

In regard to the troubles with the Romanists, the two 
houses support Hart most warmly. The upper house says 
there is no religious persecution in Maryland, " unless whole- 
some laws to preserve life or property be persecution of felons 
and murtherers, a principle of so horrid and salvage a nature 

1 Hart apparentlj' alludes to MacNamara in his speech of April 5, 1720, when he refers 
to "one now dead, who with horrid execrations said he did not doubt to see me as fast 
in prison as ever he was (who had been so for murder and other crimes) and my inno- 
cent children set a begging.!' 

2 L.H. J., June 4, 1719. 

3 Act of 1719, ch. 4. 



RESTOEATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 297 

that every community of reasonable creatures will explode it 
as destructive of all civil societ3^'"' The analogy is far- 
fetched, but there is no doubt of the house's meaning. 

The lower house is astonished at the "monstrous structure 
raised by the partial clamors of Papists." Reference is made to 
the fact that the laws of Great Britain are more severe against 
Roman Catholics than those of Maryland. They complain 
against the justice and lenit}' of Harfs administration, only 
because he opposed their attempt to hold the prime oilices in 
this province. The Romanists have endeavored to subvert 
the government and pervert the more unthinking of our peo- 
ple by alluring them to the superstition of their church. Thus 
Hart and the assembly have been forced to act defensively.^ 
Long ma}^ the province continue "under the conduct of so 
unbiased a ruler." 

In pursuance of the recommendation as to juries, an act is 
passed that each jury may receive 120 pounds of tobacco for 
each cause and an additional per diem of 1.5 pounds of tobacco 
per juror. If any suitor give more, he is to be fined. This is 
evidently to prevent embracery, and also is a far less impor- 
tant act than the one Hart recommended. The lower house 
said there was no instance of the sheriffs failing to return the 
best and most understanding freeholders as jurors. 

As to roads, the delegates say the law needs no amendment, 
but rather enforcement, and that the several counties should 
make all the roads. Road making should not be a provincial 
charge. The recommendation as to the return of the taxables 
was looked on favoraljly, and a more stringent law was passed 
which remained in force for many years. Single freemen 
without settled place of residence had not been returned by 
employers, as not being members of their families, and so 
have paid no tax.^ For the future they must procure a house- 
keeper to give them in as taxables, or be committed to the 
sheriff's custody.^ Other important acts of the session were 
those for the encouragement of an iron manufacture,* and for 
the administration of intestates' estates, providing that a strict 
accounting be made of the residue of each estate and that 

1 Reference to this mutter in address to Baltimore, June 0, 1719, last day of the session. 

2 Aet of 1719, eh. 3; U. II. J., May 30, June 1, 2, 1719. 
sAct of 1719, eh. 12; U.H..I., May 29, 1719. 

4 Act of 1719, ch. 15. 



298 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOlSr. 

it bo not ombezzled by the administratosr, who were often 
creditors of the deceased.^ 

The committee on aggrievances ^ reported early in the ses- 
sion that when servants run away from masters in other colo- 
nies they will often lose the servants rather than pay the 
fees. In such case there is no provision as to the disposi- 
tion of the servants. To remedy this state of things, an act 
is passed providing that the sheriff may sell such servants 
by public vendue and pay the fees out of the produce, only 
accounting to the owner for the residue.^ 

The last act of this session* was one regulating officers' 
fees, and Hart's action on this occasion was looked back to as 
a precedent in the later quarrels over fees, even down to that 
latest and greatest conflict when Governor Eden and the dele- 
gates struggled in a fierce contention which only ended when 
Maryland ceased to be a province and became an independent 
State. The old fee bill expired at this time and Hart sug- 
gested to the assembly that, as he had no instructions about 
fees and Baltimore had expressed his intention to come in 
person to the province, the former bill be continued^ until 
Baltimore comes of age, on September 20, 1720, The upper 
house agreed to this, but the delegates said the present fees 
are so great an oppression to the inhabitants that they rather 
inclined to be without a law for that purpose till the arrival 
of the lord proprietary than longer to groan under such hard- 
ships." The upper house said in reply that b}" awaiting Balti- 
more's arrival in the province they will have an opportunity 
to argue the reasonableness of things with him, and what will 
then be done will be lasting. They agree that some offices are 
grievously burdensome, but consider it better to continue the 
old act for so short a time rather than involve the country in 
great difficulties. 

The lower house refused to agree to this. The act has ex- 
pired.^ Hart directs the man who affixes the great seal to 

1 Vide May 25, L. H. J.: If no heirs, residue to public schools. This was all that was 
done for education at this session. (June 2, L. H. J., act of 1719, ch. 14.) 

-h. H. J., May 23, 1719. A bill against the villainies of imported servants was intro- 
duced, but did not pass. (U. H. J., June 3, 5, 1719.) Importers of convicts were ordered to 
give bond for their good behavior. (L. H. J., June 3, 1719.) 

sActof 1719, ch. 2. ■*Ibid., ch. 18. ^u. H.J. , June 1, 1719. 

6L.H.J., Junel, 1719; U. H.J. , June 3, 1719. 

7 Bacon says, May 20, 1718, "If so, the province had already been a year without any fee 
law." 



RESTOEATIOK OF PROPEIETARY OF MARYLAND. 299 

documents not to do so without the fee indicated in the old 
law. This is government by executive authority. 

The next day the upper house ^ again addressed the dele- 
gates. 'Are not you too positive in resolving to deprive the 
country of the benefit of the former law, which did somewhat 
restrain the officers? Some fees are too high, but the Ijill 3'ou 
would have us pass abridges the perquisites of some ofiicers so 
as not to afford sufiicient support for the stations of the per- 
sons who execute them. It is an ungrateful return to Balti- 
more and Hart for their favors, to lessen extravagantly the 
revenues of their officers. Why could not we have a joint 
committee on the matter? Our house is as much a part of the 
legislature as yours, and has the interest of the country as 
much at heart. We wish to be just to all.' The lower house 
at once agrees to a conference, and the report of this com- 
mittee, made on the following day, is at once adopted by both 
houses.^ Hart agrees to pass the bill if limited to three years, 
or to the first session after Baltimore's arrival. This is done, 
and the bill thus passed was in force by continuances for some 
six years. The whole procedure shows the reasonableness of 
both parties. Hart'' announced, however, that Philemon 
Lloyd, deputy secretary of Maryland, formally protests in the 
council against this bill, saying that by depriving the secre- 
tary of so large a part ^ of those perquisites intended by Bal- 
timore to be a handsome support for him, it is an infraction of 
his rights, and will encourage all litigious spirits in molesting 
and harassing their innocent neighbors with vexatious suits 
upon slight and frivolous grounds. 

Peace has been made with the Tuscaroras. The delegates 
thank Hart for this and for his great care in cultivating and 
preserving good friendship with the bordering Indians. They 
vote a present of £10 currency to the Tuscaroras. The great 
men of the Nanticokes, Panquash, and Annatoquin complain 
that a white man has settled on their lands at Checkacone. 

m. H. J., June 4, 1719. The lower house, Miiy 28, asked its committee of hiws to pre- 
pare a bill against the purchase of offices. The bill did not pass, owing to upper house 
amendments. 

- U. H. J., Apr. 21, 1720. Baltimore refuses to approve this bill, June 5. 

3In spite of their good will toward Hart, the assembly refuse to make one Humphries, 
a particular friend of Guilford and Baltimore, and recommended by them capable of 
holding office, before he had been three years in the i)rovince. They suspended that law 
once for each governor, they say, ami the favor (ease of Steele) had already been done 
for Hart. 

•1 He estimateii it as one-1'ourth. 



800 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

The Choptanks also complain that the Eng-lish have encroached 
upon their lands, so they are all driven into Locust Neck/ 
The intruders are ordered to remove, and three men are ap- 
pointed to decide differences between Indians and whites on 
the Eastern Shore, ^ but, alas, nothing was done with reference 
to the complaint of the Nanticokes that the English bring- 
strong drink to their towns and sell it to their great prejudice. 

The relations between Hart and this assembly were so 
friendly that at the conclusion of this session a present of 
■£200 currency is made to him as a partial reimbursement for 
the great sums of money he has spent for the provincial inter- 
est, and because he has been kind and serviceable to Maryland. 

All seemed to think this was to be Hart's last assembly, but 
he was yet to summon another session. After nearly a year 
more he met with the legislature on April 5, 1720 The ses- 
sion lasted until the 22d, but its contribution to the statute 
book was a small one. Fourteen acts were passed. Of these 
ten were strictly private.^ One continued the ordinary act for 
a year, a second provided for the public levy, a third con- 
tinued the gauge act for a year, and the fourth concerned the 
governor's salary. There seems to have been a restlessness 
and discontent in the assembly and a trifle less of cordiality 
toward Hart. In opening the session Hart asks that the 
gauge act be continued, and refers to it as a considerable 
achievement of his administration. 

As this is his last session. Hart reviews his course toward 
the Roman Catholics. The ' ' Papists " still seem to keep on foot 
their pretense to hold all offices, as the Protestants do. He 
has been a memorable instance of the effects of popish malice, 
and now doubt not that they await his departure as a more 
favorable conjecture to put their designs into practice. Ho 
traces the course of his struggle against the claims of Carroll, 
"who by principle is an enemy of the Pi'otestant constitution," 
and the conflict with MacNamara. If these men have acted so 
to the governor, what would they do to Protestants if the}^ 
had the power? The Roman Catholics might have been peace- 

lU. H. J., May 18, 1719. 

2April 8, 1720, Philip Thomas, of Anne Arundel County, saya his servant has run away 
to the Tuscaroras, who are ordered to give him up. 

8 In explanation of the large number of private acts, on April 21, 1720, the assembly 
tells Baltimore that the infancy of the country does not permit such extensive adminis- 
tration of courts of justice, but that in some cases the a.ssistance of the legislature may 
be absolutely necessary to supply defects of law. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OP^ MARYLAND. 301 

fully htippv if they had not interfered with government and 
perverted Protestants, as the Jesuits constantly do. They 
falsely protend that Maryland was g-ranted them as an asylum 
from the rigor of the penal laws of England. They can not 
have a better right than the charter admits them to, and, in 
Harfs opinion, there is so far from a provision ])eing made 
therein that the government should be in their hands in any 
degree, that there is not even an exception made for the free 
exercise of their religion. The phrase " God's holy and truly 
Christian religion,'' used by Charles I, a Protestant, could only 
mean the religion that monarch professed. Therefore, Papists 
only enjoy privileges in Maryland through the connivance of 
the government. If they win the conflict, it may some day 
])e fatal to the Protestant colonists, especially considering the 
prodigious settlements which a formidable nation of their 
own persuasion are extending on our borders. It is easier 
and safer to prevent than to cure an inveterate distemper. 

Let us therefore call some of the principal Papists and 
examine them before the legislature as to their privileges. 
If they will not submit their claim to public examination, 
mankind will be persuaded that it will not bear the light. If 
they have the right, let justice be done, in the name of God. 
This course of procedure will prevent imposition on strangers 
and unguarded minds. 

The lower house ^ is loyal to Hart and speaks of his zeal 
and resolution in defense of the present happy Protestant 
constitution. They approve of his plan and promise to attend 
to the gauge act. The upper house ^ joins in approbation of 
Hart's administration, which is not only approved but also 
applauded by the Protestants. The Jacobites and Papists 
are in the opposition, with possibly some few Protestants, 
gained through misunderstanding. Both houses agree that 
the Roman Catholics have all the rights which they should 
enjoy. 

Hart at once puts his plan into execution ■' and summons 
Charles and James Carroll, Henry Darnall (senior and junior), 
Benjamin Hall, Clement Hill, William Fitz Redmond, Henry 
Wharton, Charles Diggs, Peter Atwood (a priest), Maj. Nich- 

1 L. H. J., April 11, 1720. 

■-U. H. J., April 11, 1720. Hart in liis roply iicliiKnvlodges his success us largely due to 
the assembly's "just, steady, and well-concerted counsels." 
;i U. H. J., April 12, 1720; vide April 12. 



302 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. 

olas Sewall, and Richard Bennett to appear before the assem- 
bly. The summonses were sent out and the assembly waited 
over a week, but no answer came/ It was ascertained that 
the "most eminent of the Papists were in town at the time 
appointed to hear their pretensions," ^ but did not think fit to 
appear. "Therefore," say the upper house, "thej^ tacitly ac- 
knowledge that their pretensions are groundless and their 
exclamations most unreasonable." The lower house agrees 
that these proceedings were admirable "means to secure and 
establish to the Protestants their just rights against any future 
claim of right the Papists may pretend to." 

It seems that Baltimore, and Guilford,^ his guardian, had 
become more hostile to Hart. On July 4, 1719, he wrote 
them that on account of ill weather he could not leave at 
the season formerly appointed, and asked permission to remain 
a while in Maryland. On December 30 they answer his letter, 
permitting him to stay until May, 1720, and then positively 
command him to return. Apparently Hart had told them 
that no provision is made for him during his absence from 
the province. In their harsh answer, they call this declara- 
tion most ill-advised, and maintain that nothing is due him 
by the law for the support of government. In a rather 
labored sentence they tell him he has no ground to suppose 
that His Majesty's grace and favor to him is evaded by totally 
removing him, "which we shall do when we think fit." 

This letter did not reach Hart * until after the April, 1720, 
session of the assembly, though he told that body that he does 
not leave the governorship b}^ voluntary choice, but because 
he prefers integrity to interest. Mr. Rozier, a Papist, ^ had 
declared that he had done the governor's business, which was 
the only notice Hart had that he was to be superseded. Hart 
told the assembly that he hoped the commission of the gov- 
ernor did not "depend on that malicious and insignificant 
man."*^ " If it does," he cries out, " the Lord have mercy on 
the governor." Since the last session of the assembly Hart 

lU. H. J., April 20, 1720. 

2 Henry Darnall, sr., Charles Diggs, Clement Hill, Benjamin Hall, William Digges 
(probably). 
3L. H. J., October 1, 1720. 

^ In his introductory speech he states he has no recent advice from Baltimore. 
i-U. H. J., April 11, 1720. 
6U. H. J., April 21, 1720. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 803 

had received letters from the proprietary ' stating that Mac- 
Namara had niade satisfactory submission to him and should 
be restored to practice. No reparation was made to Hart or 
to the insulted judges. 

Before any proceedings could be taken MacNamara died, 
and with him died the controversy. It onl}'^ remained for 
Hart to transmit Baltimore's letter to the assem))ly and to 
state that he was grieved ])y it and that he feared lest the ex- 
ample ma}^ be laid hold of by other practitioners. Some of 
them are "of his kidne}^, vehement espousers of the Popish 
faction," and use the governor "with such indecencies as are 
inconsistent with the grandeur of an inferior court." One of 
these other lawj'ers was undoubtedly the elder Daniel Dulany.^ 
He was a " noted favorer of Papists" and comes into notice at 
this time through a charge of misfeasance he la3\s against Col. 
Thomas Addison of the land office. One Mark Brown seems 
to have also been an accuser in this matter. Addison,'^ an 
"honest Protestant and lover of the King and country," says 
Hart, has been taxed with "villainous things" by "little mean 
fellows," and writes that he has done his duty, but is a "mere 
pageant of paist board if he must suffer such barbarous 
affronts." The assembly seems loath to do anything in the 
matter. 

The trouble with Birchfield * comes up at this session.^ On 
December 13, 1718, the commissioners of customs wrote to 
Baltimore that Birchfield's course of conduct was correct, but 
that Hart obstructed His Majesty's service. They ask that he 
be instructed not to do so, and such instructions were sent. 
Hart was naturally offended and lays the matter before the 
assembly. The upper house suggest that the former assem- 
bly's address against Birchfield be inspected and that they dis- 
cover how they came short of explaining things fully. This 
was done," and the delegates report that they are surprised to 
find that the commissioners of customs rather countenance 
than redress abuses, and that Hart is arraigned by Birchfield 

1 Dated February 13, 1719 (U. H. J., April 9, 1720). 
2U. H. J., April 14, 1720; L. H. J., April 9, 1720. 
3 A councillor. 
*U. H. J., April 9, 1720. 

6The old statehouse at St. Mary's City was given to William and Mary Parish at this 
time (April 7, 1720, L. H. J.). 
6L. H. J., AprillS, 1720. 



304 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

for delaying proceedings, when they know that he "hath 
been very assiduous and zealous in promoting and expediting 
the affairs of the Crown." 

The upper house ^ thought proper measures should be taken 
to render the address effectual, since the occasion of it still 
continued and the aggressors were encouraged, while the im- 
partial conduct of the governor, as the judge in chancer}",^ 
was reproved. They suggest that Hart be requested to act as 
the province's agent in the matter. 

The lower house ^ tell Hart that the dockets show his prompt- 
ness, and that "we are so well satisfied with your excellency's 
integrity and justice, during your administration as chancellor, 
that the most invidious of j^our enemies can not in anywise make 
out the least charge of partiality or corruption. " Yet they con- 
ceive that MacNamara's management of Birchfield's affairs was 
largely the cause of the evils in the customs. These are 
largely removed by MacNamara's death, and the delegates are 
not inclined to take further steps in the matter, so they de- 
cline to make use of Hart as their agent. 

This surrender is very unpalatable to the council. They 
urge the insult to the governor, the danger to let another have 
opportunity to act as Birchfield did, and the fact that it is 
easier to prevent aggrievances than to be put to the necessity 
of seeking redress after suffering them. The commissioners 
say Birchfield did his duty and Hart was partial. This accu- 
sation should be answered. The lower house, however, stood 
to its position and the matter was dropped.* 

A bill was brought in by the lower house ^ that Hart might 
enjoy the 3 pence per hogshead during his absence for a year, 
or until superseded. Hart thanked them for this,^ but sug- 
gested that the money raised by that duty bo paid the treas- 
urer for the public charge, and that in lieu thereof Hart be 
paid at once a sum approximately equal to what would be 
raised by this duty in the next six months. The lower house 
at first thought this prejudicial to the interest of the new gov- 
ernor and wanting in duty to Baltimore, who may soon ap- 

T-V. H. J., April 19, 1720. 

-Hart gave up the seals to Col. William Holland on account of this matter. 
3 L. H.J. , April 19, 1720. 

■»L. H. J., April 22, 1720. A conference committee, on the last day of the .se.ssion, recom 
mended the employment of Hart as agent in the matter. 
SL. H. J.,AprillG, 1720. 



RESTOEATION OP PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 305 

point tinother governor. Hart says Baltimore can not super- 
sede him without permission of the Crown, and the latter has 
granted him leave of absence for twelve months, making no 
provision but for his absence.^ He felt that the lower house 
acted "very cautiously in saving their money, and that he had 
deserved so much of Maryland that their representatives might 
have done me a favor, which he is persuaded no private friend 
would have refused him on less obligations. " Further, he will 
have no support during his absence if not from the 3-pence 
duty. The lower house say the new governor ma}^ asi^ for 
this duty, and, having already voted it away, they will lie 
under his displeasure. Hart writes to the speaker, "I insist 
upon it that the 3 pence is due to me as governor until my 
commission is legally superseded, and resolve to take all proper 
measures to maintain it. His lordship's instructions can not 
take precedence of a law."^ The council strenuously aided 
him, and the lower house, ' ' reassuming " its former vote, grants 
the governor what he asked. 

We notice, in general, throughout this session that the del- 
egates are apt to yield to the influence'* of Hart, as in former 
years. There is more friction and a little more stubbornness 
on the part of the delegates, but they rarely persist in oppo- 
sition. This is clearly seen in the procedure with reference 
to an unguarded remark of the delegates that they did not 
care to enter into the discussion of a certain matter, since the 
session would be short. For this Hart at once brings them 
to account. They answer that certain members of the upper 
house gave them to understand that the end of the session was 
near. 

"This is an insufficient answer," retorts Hart; "your ex- 
pressions seem to infringe on the undoubted right of the pro- 
prietary to summon and adjourn assemblies." 

To this the lower house made a submissive reply. They 
did not pretend to lix the length of the session, but thought 
it would not be a long one, as there was little public business. 

1 U. H. J., April 20, 1720. 

2U. H. J., April 22, 1720. 

3 On April 22 the upper house recommenrls the delegates to allow a reasonable recom- 
pense to the governor's ganlnor, who " liiis been very serviceable and curious in making, 
leveling, and rolling the shell walk before the public building, for which the couTitry ha.s 
never been charged iinythiug, thougli he has been very diligent and laborious therein." 
In 1715 a flagstafY had Ijcen ordered erected, witli suflTicient braces and a cedar frame, in 
front of the state house. 

HIST 99, VOL I 20 



306 AMEKICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

They acknowledged fully Baltimore's right. ^ So the incident 
terminated. Shortly after the close of the session Hart 
embarked for England and arrived there before August 8, 
when he answered certain queries of the board of trade in 
such a way as to show that he had lost none of his affection 
for the province. He then vanishes from Maryland's records. 

In May, 1720, Baltimore and Guilford petitioned the King 
that Charles Calvert, captain in the First Regiment of Foot 
Guards and a cousin of the proprietar}', be appointed governor 
of Maryland. They state that they find it necessary to change 
their governor, but give no reasons. This application is 
granted, and Calvert shortly leaves for Maryland. The friends 
of Thomas Brooke, the president of the council, as was reported 
to Baltimore, had spread rumors that Baltimore had sent a 
private commission to Brooke while Hart was in Maryland. 
This and certain undefined hasty proceedings of Brooke caused 
Calvert's speedy departure from England. On October 12 he 
met the assembly, read them Baltimore's letter, notifying them 
of his appointment, and expressing the hope that "old rancor 
and jealousy will now disappear."^ Hart returned to London 
and was nominated by the King, on Ma}^ 9, 1721, as governor 
of the Leeward Islands^ in the West Indies. He arrived at 
the seat of government at Antigua on December 19, 1721, and 
found himself ruler of a domain which included the islands 
of Antigua, St. Christophers, Nevis, Montserrat, and the Vir- 
gin Islands. 

His career here was fully as stormy as in Maryland. He 
was at continual variance with the assembly about his salary, 
and at one time removed his family to St. Christophers. In 
1725 various petitions were presented to the British Govern- 
ment against him, and he was replaced by the Earl of Lon- 
donderry. Hart sailed for England on January 14, 1727, and 
of his later life nothing has been discovered. 

m. H. J. , April 22, 1720. I suspect there was a malicious satisfaction felt by the delegates 
when they refused to draw up an address to the King, as Hart recommended them to do on 
the last day of the session. They tell Hart they want to go home after so long a deten- 
tion which has not resulted in '-any great service to our country." Many of the mem- 
bers are sick or absent, and they enjoy what we may or reasonably can desire. This 
they have often told the best of kings, and ask to be excu.sed from repeating it. 

2In his address to the assembly of 1721, Calvert speaks of "the little heats being at an 
end." 

3N. and Q., 8th series, 11, 31; Anderson's Col. Ch.,111, 181, 187; Edwards's West Indies, 
11,453. 



RESTORATION OF PROPRIETARY OF MARYLAND. 807 

A strong, zealous, impetuous man, he was a most devoted 
member of the Anglican Church and a faithful servant of the 
English Crown. He was probably overbearing and exacting 
and had many of the defects of his times and of his Irish blood, 
))ut with it all his conscientious devotion to duty, his single 
purpose to have his province well governed, and his pains- 
taking care of the details of administration make him a man 
who should not be forgotten. The code of laws which Mary- 
land adopted under his influence remained his best monument 
and was in force for more than half a century after his 
departure. 



